The Philippine Blu Boys bowed to top-seed Japan, 2-9, in the finals of the 11th Men Softball Asian Cup in Kochi, Japan, but still qualified for the World Baseball Softball Confederation Men Softball World Cup.
The Japanese, the world’s no. 1, unleashed five runs at the bottom of the first inning to set the tone of the match and the rout.
The Blu Boys also lost to the Japanese, 0-7, in the super round earlier.
Despite the setback, the Philippines still accomplished its mission as the top two teams in the tournament got the two slots reserved for Asia in the 17th Men’s Softball World Cup to be held from November 26 to December 4 in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Blu Boys slammed India, 8-1, on Monday in the final day of the super round to set a title showdown with Japan.
The Filipinos took second in Group B before gaining a spot in the championship game despite losses to Japan and Southeast Asian Games champion Singapore, 6-5, in the super round.
The other teams that competed in the tournament were Hong Kong-China, no.21; Thailand, no.27, and Chinese Taipei, no.28. The Blu Boys are ranked 17th.
Prior to the team’s departure for Japan, head coach Apol Rosales was optimistic of the team’s campaign.
“This is a better, stronger, faster and younger team, a good mix of veteran and collegiate players. We just completed a three-game series of exhibition games against strong teams from Batangas and Laguna, and won all our games without surrendering any run. We are ready to compete and our chances of winning one of the two seats here are more than 50-50,” Rosales said.