THE PHILIPPINE Blu Boys seek a repeat victory over Indonesia today in a playoff for the right to face defending champion Japan in the 11th Asian Men’s Softball Championship in Nimi, Japan.
The Blu Boys are fancied to prevail after beating the Indonesians, 2-0, in the elimination round.
The Filipinos are already assured of a spot in the World Men’s Softball Championship in March next year in North Shore, New Zealand, after finishing second in the eliminations behind Japan. The Blu Boys also toppled Singapore, 6-1, Hong Kong, 5-3, and India, 10-1.
The defending champion Japanese have already beaten the Filipinos twice—8-0 in the elimination round and 10-1 in the playoffs.
“We are proud of our boys’ performance,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier. “It shows that, in softball, we are among the top three in Asia. And whatever happens in today’s game against Indonesia, we are already looking forward to the world championship next year.” Cedelf P. Tupas