Blu Boys to see action in Asian softball

The Philippine men’s softball team will see action in the eighth Asian Men’s Softball Championship slated Nov. 2-5 in Kita-Kyushu, Japan.

The composition of the Blu Boys was selected by the newly-elected officials of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines headed by sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier.

"This is another great opportunity for our players to carry our flag in an international event wherein we will be able to play against the best in the region," said Lhuillier.

"The new AsaPhil board intends to facilitate as much international exposure as possible for the national team as well as come up with programs that will develop our promising local talents," he added.

Lhuillier was elected president of AsaPhil late last month, taking over from former Manila Congressman Harry Angping. Angping, however, remains as a board member.

The team is composed of some members of the squad that snared the gold medal in the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, including Apol Rosales, Fidel Moncera, Roger Rojas, Jasper Cabrera, Romy Bumagat, Isidro Abello and 2003 edition MVP Mark Rae Rosales.

Orlando and Manuel Binarao, Florante Acuna, Uly Mejia, Ron Pagkaliwagan, Oscar Bradshaw IV, Melvin Villegas, Ben Maravilles, Dario Bacarisas and Rizel Santos complete the Blu Boys cast.

Alejandro Estipular was named head coach with Isaac Bacarisas, Joel Binarao and Randy Dizer as his deputies.

Powerhouse Japan is the team to beat in the most prestigious softball event in the region.

Also seeing action in the meet that also serves as a qualifying event for the Men’s World Championship sanctioned by the International Softball Federation are Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand.

The Blu Boys have won the event thrice with the last in 1990.