Blu Boys, Girls shut out rivals

The RP Blu Boys and Blu Girls sustained their respective charges in the 23rd SEA Games softball competitions yesterday, with both hacking out shutout wins before a huge cheering crowd at the Rosario Sports Complex.

The Blu Boys clobbered the Malaysians, 15-0, in an abbreviated three-inning contest while the Blu Girls overcame a tough stand by the Singaporeans, 3-0.

The RP men’s team dominated the Malaysians on a perfect no-hit, no-run job by pitcher Rogelio Rojas and on the squad’s sizzling offense spiked by a three-run homer by Jasper Cabrera in the third inning.

The team came out with high level of confidence following a 4-0 blanking of defending champion Indonesia during the opening day.

Team Captain Apolonio Rosales and Orlando Binarao both went two-of-two at bat and combined for five runs in the second inning.

Melvin Villegas and Manolito Binarao had their shares with two runs each.

"I’m so happy with the performance of the team. I hope we can sustain our charge up to the end so we can regain the championship," said RP coach Gregorio dela Cerna. — Tristan Taboac

The RP Blu Boys won three straight SEAG titles starting in 1991 before losing the title to Indonesia in Jakarta in 1997.

"The mix of youth and experience on our side could spell the difference in our campaign this time," added Dela Cerna whose troops play the Malaysians again at10 a.m. today to start their second-round campaign.

Meanwhile, team captain Nimpa Baral, Esmerilda Tayag and Hayde Bongas delivered the runs as the Blu Girls withstood the Singaporeans for their third win in as many outings.

The Blu Girls outhit the Singaporeans before using an amazing double-play to seal their victory to the delight of the cheering fans in the venue.

The Blu Girls and the Singaporeans had their rematch at 2 p.m. today in the same venue.