PH Blu Boys qualify for Softball World Cup anew

Philippine Blu Boys settle for silver in the Asian Men’s Softball Championship. –RP BLU BOYS FACEBOOK PAGE

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Blu Boys secured a return trip to the Men’s Softball World Cup following another runner-up finish in the recent Asian Men’s Softball Championship in Kochi, Japan.

Despite losing 9-2 to host Japan for the title, reaching the Final was already enough for the Blu Boys to reach the World Cup for the second straight time and nine out of the last 11 editions.

Coach Apol Rosales’ squad will play in the World Cup slated November 26 to December 4 in Auckland, New Zealand where the Blu Boys are out to improve on their last place finish three years ago in the Czech Republic.

But the Blu Boys had to go through the wringer in the Super Round, bouncing back from falling 7-0 to Japan and a 6-5 loss to Singapore to produce an 8-1 thumping of India.

The Philippines tied Singapore and India but got the right to face Japan by virtue of having the fewest runs allowed.

The continental tournament was the first tournament for the Blu Boys since losing to Singapore for the gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Clark, Pampanga.

Dormant after the pandemic struck, the team resumed training several months ago in time for the Asian tilt.