2023 Men's Softball Asia Cup: PH finishes elimination on high note, blasts Hong Kong to keep World Cup chance alive
2023-Jun-28 11:46
2024-Jul-16 12:08
STRONG FINISH. The Philippine Blu Boys capped their 2023 Men's Softball Asia Cup elimination round campaign with an 8-0 blanking of Hong Kong. PHOTO: ASAPHIL/Facebook
The Philippine national men's softball team can still qualify for the World Cup after blasting Hong Kong, 8-0, in their last group assignment in the 2023 Men's Softball Asia Cup in Kochi, Japan on Tuesday, June 27.
The Blu Boys finished the single-round robin elimination with a 3-2 win-loss record, forging the battle-for-bronze against Hong Kong (2-3) on Wednesday, June 28.
Winning the third-place match will assure the nationals a World Cup slot.
Moreover, eventually claiming the bronze will make them the fourth Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) team to reach the World Cup after the Blu Girls, co-ed slow-pitch squad, and women's under-15.
Coming off a winless Monday campaign after suffering back-to-back defeats against Singapore and Japan, the Philippines vented ire at their lowly opposition.
Pitchers Leo Barredo and Lyones de Leon delivered no-hitter performances, while Kenneth Torres batted a four-run hit in the second inning, and from there, the Philippines ran away to seal the deal.
Leo Barredo and Lyones de Leon took turns in pitching a no-hitter while Kenneth Torres batted in a run that ignited a decisive four-run binge in the second inning that helped seal the rout.
Defending nine-time champion Japan will face Southeast Asian Games 2019 gold medalist Singapore for the Asian title on the same date as the Philippines-Hong Kong clash.
The Japanese side topped the elimination round behind an immaculate 5-0 slate, while the Singaporeans placed second with four wins and one loss, which came off the host nation.