THE Philippine Blu Boys expect a tough campaign in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4 in Auckland, New Zealand.
The men’s softball team has started their build-up for the world tournament with a goal of making the best finish possible in the competition. The Blu Boys are bracketed in Group A with defending champion Argentina, Czech Republic, host New Zealand, US, and Cuba.
See Blu Boys look ahead to World Cup after second-place finish in Asia
Group B is composed of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, South Africa, and Venezuela.
Regardless of grouping, national coach Apol Rosales said it will be a daunting task for the team, but they will be playing their best for the competition.
“Wala naman pong tulak kabigin ika nga,” said Rosales during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. “Talagang lahat ng 12 countries, talagang salang sala kahit saan tayo mapalagay, mapa-A or B. Ang pinaghahandaan natin i-prepare ‘yung mga player para sa mga laban kasi every game is a championship game.”

The Blu Boys are the lowest-ranked among the teams at No. 21.
The top three teams in each group will play in the super round to stay in contention for a medal. The last three teams in both groups will still compete for rankings.
A 16-man team composed of mostly players in their 20s will leave for Auckland on Nov. 16. All of them played in the Asian Cup where the Philippines placed second to Japan to earn a trip to the World Cup.
A total of 10 players will make their World Cup debut.
Rosales, who was joined in the forum by Julius Diaz and Juliuz Dela Cruz, said the team will heavily rely on speed and getting on base through hits in order to tally runs on the board. The head coach said hits will be tough since pitchers in the World Cup stage can throw up to 135 kilometers per hour.
In order to adjust to the playing conditions, the Blu Boys have sought the help of a former national team pitcher in training, throwing closer to home plate in a move to try to simulate the pitching of their opponents
The Blu Boys have also been training at night since their games will be held in the evening.
“Nothing to lose. Okay lang kung matalo tayo pero lumaban tayo sa maganda. Kung matalo natin sila, masakit sa kanila ‘yun,” said Diaz, the team’s first baseman.
“Nag-eextra work kami, more on sa spot pitching. Honestly po kasi, behind kami sa speed ng pitchers na labanan natin. Iniisip ng mga coaches na kailangan naming idaan sa diskarte,” said Dela Cruz.
Rosales said they will play a mini-tournament against military teams and provincial teams next month, and will compete in tune-up games once they arrive in New Zealand. So far, a scrimmage match against Netherlands has been confirmed.
The team thanked the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines led by president Jean Henri Lhuillier and Philippine Sports Commission for the support to the World Cup campaign.
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