The RP Blu Boys kicked off their redemption campaign in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games softball tournament with a resounding 11-1 victory over Malaysia in just four innings on Monday at Queen Sirikit Stadium in Thailand.
After seeing gold — and their ‘five-peat’ aspirations — slip away at the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, the Philippines made a statement with a dominant performance highlighted by an eight-run second inning.
The Blu Boys were already ahead 3-0 after the first inning, thanks to University of Santo Tomas standouts Justine Rosales and Israel Antonio driving in the early runs. Mark Gaspi then ignited the second-inning surge with a two-run homer to deep right-center, giving the Philippines a 5-0 lead.
Antonio, Denmark Bathan, Francis Generoso, and Mark Sarmiento followed with six more runs in the bottom of the second, creating an insurmountable 11-0 advantage.
Malaysia’s lone run came in the top of the fourth when Enleon Tan Jian Xiong singled to score Muhammad Bin Alias.
Gaspi, Rosales, and Sarmiento each finished with two hits and two RBIs for the Blu Boys.
Jehanz Coro earned the win after a flawless start, striking out five Malaysian batters over two hitless innings.
The Philippines will face host nation Thailand tomorrow at 3:00 PM.
