THE RP Blu Boys will attempt to wrestle the crown from erstwhile rival and defending champion Japan for the 10th Asian Men Softball Championships slated from April 23 to 28, in the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia.
Aside from the storied rivalry between the national sluggers and Japan, the five-day tourney will also see representatives from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand taking action.
The RP Blu Boys took home the championship during the inaugural Asian Men Softball Championship held in 1968 in Manila and was also crowned the top winner for the second (1974) and fourth staging (1990) of the tourney, which was also held in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, Japan took home the championship for the rest of the six other stages.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, ASAPHIL president and noted sports patron, expressed his support for the Blu Boys.
“The RP Blu Boys have always been known for consistently playing to the best of their abilities, showing a remarkable mixture of hard work, grit and love for the game in all of their tournaments. In behalf of ASAPHIL, I am throwing my 100% support to our boys. I am one with the nation in praying that they get the top plum—not only for their personal glories, but also for our nation and flag,” Lhuillier said.
The 17-member squad, led by Coach Eufracio dela Cruz and Team Captain Isidro Abello, will take on Singapore and Indonesia during the tournament’s preliminary games.
