MANILA, Philippines - Hangad ang quarterfinals slot sa International Softball Federation (ISF) World Men’s Softball Championships, aalis nitong weekend ang Blu Boys patungong Auckland, New Zealand para sa dalawang linggong acclimatization bago magsimula ang tournament na nakatakda sa March 1-10.
Nag-qualify ang Pinas sa world championships matapos pumangalawa sa Asian champion na Japan noong nakaraang taon at makakasama nila ang 16 pang teams na kinabibila-ngan ng defending champion Australia, host country New Zealand na nanalo na ng 5 titles, United States na mayroon na ring 5 cham-pionships at Canada na kabilang sa mga seeded teams.
“We finished 10th in the 2009 ISF Men’s World Championships and we have to be in the top 8 this year to be included in the playoffs. It will not be easy for us but we have been training even before the Asian Men’s Softball Championships started and our boys will be flying to New Zealand earlier for two weeks of training and conditioning. ASAPHIL is ma-king sure that the team is prepared physically and emotionally for the World Championships,†pahayag ni ASAPHIL president and sportsman/businessman Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Kinuha ng ASAPHIL si Australian softball coach Maurice Paraha para makatulong ni Blu Boys head coach Roberto Itiuralde.