Another Philippine team has qualified for the World Cup.
The RP Blu Boys finished in the top two of the 11th Men’s Softball Asian Cup held in Kochi, Japan.
In the Final, the team folded to Japan, 9-2, to place second in the continental meet that also had Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Chinese-Taipei participating in it.
The Blu Boys were ranked 21 heading into the continental meet.
“I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the team for earning a World Cup berth and putting us on the international scene,” Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier.
“It’s been a tough journey for our softball players, but it is without a doubt that they have the capacity to compete with other international players and rise above the challenges,” as the Blu Boys had to take a dominant 8-1 win over India to advance to the Final after losing to Singapore (5-6) and Japan (0-7) in the Supers.
Michael Pagkaliwagan is the head coach of the team and is joined by brother Marlon, Jerome Bacarisas, Denmark Bathan, Leo Barredo, Melvin De Castro, Julius Dela Cruz, Julius Diaz, Lyonas De Leon, Mark Gaspi, Francis Generoso, Efril Mercado, John Matanguihan, Gerone Riparip, Reagan Parco, Justine Rosales, and Kenneth Torres.
The team’s head coach is Apol Rosales.
“We are happy that we are bearing the Philippines in this journey and we are immensely thankful to Mr. Jean Henri Lhuillier for always believing in the team,” said Coach Apol.
“We are determined to give our 100 percent in the upcoming matches and show the world what the Philippine team is capable of.”
This will be the Philippines’ 11th appearance in the World Cup, placing 16th in 2019.
This year’s Worlds will take place from November 26 to December 4 in Auckland, New Zealand.
