KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Delivering another powerful performance, the Philippine Blu Boys reaffirmed their mastery over Hong Kong, 7-0 , on 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 a solid five-inning job.

It was helped that the Pinoy batters went on a six-run binge 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.

More than the bronze, the Blu Boys booked another trip to the World Cup.

The first two World Cup seats were booked by Japan and Singapore, who were battling 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.