Blu Boys off to big start in Asian tiff

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Blu Boys hurdled their double-header assignment in the opening day of the 14th Asian Men’s Softball Championship to secure a semifinal berth Tuesday at Kallang Softball Diamond in Singapore.

The Pinoy clouters imposed their will against hapless Pakistan in the morning session, hammering out a 21-0 rout to get their bid in the world championship-qualifying tourney off to a flying start.

Sustaining the charge in the afternoon hostilities, the Blu Boys tripped home squad Singapore, 8-3, for a 2-0 record that netted them a semis slot with still three matches left in the elims of the six-nation meet.

Defending champion Japan flaunted its top form early on, shellacking Indonesia, 15-1 and Pakistan, 23-0, to easily advance. Indonesia bounced back from its loss to Japan with a 12-0 disposal of Brunei to level its card at 1-1.

On Wednesday, the Indons pulled off a major reversal when they upstaged the more fancied Blu Boys, 8-3, to catch up with the Filipinos at 2-1. Singapore likewise improved  to 2-1 after shutting out Pakistan, 8-0.

The Japanese continued to hold sway with a clean slate, posting their third straight win at the expense of the Pakistanis, 15-0.