Blu Boys capture bronze, World Cup berth in Men's Softball Asia Cup
Philippine softball is off to the World Cup again.
Delivering another powerful performance, the Blu Boys reaffirmed their mastery over Hong Kong with a 7-0 rout Wednesday, June 28, to finish third in the 2023 Men’s Softball Asia Cup in Kochi, Japan and claim the last World Cup slot.
The Filipinos drew strength from pitcher Juliuz Rosh dela Cruz, who allowed just one hit while finishing with an impressive nine strikeouts in five innings at the mound. It was helped that the Pinoy batters went on a six-run surge at the bottom of the third inning that was ignited by two RBIs (runs batted in) by first baseman John Norwen Lucas that came from his crisp double to left center field. It was a performance that drew praises from Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier. “We are more than proud of our boys as they showed how passion can lead to victory! Their hard work definitely paid off and we are more than glad to support them as they prepare for the World Cup,” said Lhuillier. The first two World Cup seats were booked by Japan and Singapore, which were clashing for the gold medal at press time. The Blu Boys finished the eliminations with a 3-2 record after blanking Hong Kong 8-0, the day before that forged the two squads a battle for the bronze. The Blu Boys were the fourth team by the country to claim a World Cup spot after the Blu Girls, the co-ed slo-pitch squad and the women’s Under-15 team already did so early this year.
*The Philippine Blu Boys became the fourth PH team to earn a world cup berth. (Photo from ASAPHIL)
*The Filipinos drew strength from pitcher Juliuz Rosh dela Cruz, who allowed just one hit while finishing with an impressive nine strikeouts in five innings at the mound. It was helped that the Pinoy batters went on a six-run surge at the bottom of the third inning that was ignited by two RBIs (runs batted in) by first baseman John Norwen Lucas that came from his crisp double to left center field. It was a performance that drew praises from Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier. “We are more than proud of our boys as they showed how passion can lead to victory! Their hard work definitely paid off and we are more than glad to support them as they prepare for the World Cup,” said Lhuillier. The first two World Cup seats were booked by Japan and Singapore, which were clashing for the gold medal at press time. The Blu Boys finished the eliminations with a 3-2 record after blanking Hong Kong 8-0, the day before that forged the two squads a battle for the bronze. The Blu Boys were the fourth team by the country to claim a World Cup spot after the Blu Girls, the co-ed slo-pitch squad and the women’s Under-15 team already did so early this year.