The Blu Boys showed the other teams competing in the men’s softball World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand that they are there to compete.
Matched up against perennial champion United States in their very first game, the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Boys gave the Americans a real scare in a 1-0 US victory.
Nicholas Mullins scored the lone run in the 3rd inning off a wild pitch by top Filipino pitcher Leo Barredo that allowed the Americans to score the game winner.
ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier praised the Blu Boys for their performance.
“Before they left , I told them that I will be happy to see them lose as long as they give it their best and keep the games close, and that is exactly what they did. This for me was a morale booster for the team as they go up against defending champion Argentina in their second game,” said Lhuillier.
Argentina also found a tough opponent in Cuba as the Argentinians could only come through with a close 3-1 win against the Cubans.
World no. 2 Japan posted the most impressive victory — an 11-0 mauling of South Africa, while host New Zealand local fans a reason to cheer with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.
Canada won its opening game, a close 3-2 triumph over Venezuela while Australia blanked Denmark, 7-0.
