RP Blu Boys storm to second win in world tilt

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines exploded for four hits and five runs in the first inning to post an easy 7-4 victory over Mexico for its second straight win and a share of Pool A lead in the XII World Men’s Softball Championship Saturday in Saskatoon, Canada (Sunday in Manila). With rookie Leo Barredo keeping close watch on the Mexican batters in a brilliant four-hit, four-inning start, the Blu Boys made mincemeat of three hurlers the opposition sent to stop their offensive rotation to no avail. Third baseman Apol Rosales, rightfielder Orlando Binarao, shortstop Jasper Cabrera and centerfielder Manolito Binarao started the ball rolling by boarding and scoring right at the top of the opening frame against starter and losing pitcher Lorenzo Melendez. This practically set the set the stage for an unexpected rout of the Mexicans, ranked 12th in the world by the International Softball Federation. Barredo, whose only international stint was in the Philippines’ winning campaign at the 2005 Asian Youth Championship in Malaysia, held the opponents’ eyes glued on the ball with his variety of pitches, not allowing the first nine men that crossed his path to reach the bases. Coach Zacky Bacarisas relieved him at the start of the fourth but had to be fielded back to the mound in the next frame after another first timer, Marlon Pagkaliwagan surrendered four runs that allowed the Mexicans to close the gap, 6-4. “Kailangan kasi bigyan ng exposure ang mga bagong pitcher natin, mas malakas ang makakalaban sa susunod kaya ginamit ko yung dalawang rookies. Maganda naman ang ipinukol ni Leo at maganda ang palo ng mga bata," Bacarisas said after guiding the Blu Boys to what could be their strongest 2-0 start since finishing fourth in the tournament in 1968 and fifth in 1972. Catcher Isidro Abello had the hottest bat heading the lower half of the Filipinos’ batting order with a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, followed by first baseman Darius Bacarisas, 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in, and designated hitter Oscar Bradshaw, also with a 2-for-4 clip. That 2-0 start, counting their 4-3 edging of Great Britain Friday, allowed the Blu Boys to tie defending champion New Zealand and fourth-seeded Japan at the top of the standing in the eight-team Pool A. The five-peat seeking Kiwis demolished the Englishmen, 14-0, in a regulation five-inning contest, while the Japanese, fifth in this tournament four years ago, hardly flexed their muscles in a routine 9-4 beating of Botswana. Acid test Next up for the Philippines will be New Zealand, world champions since 1996, on Sunday (Monday in Manila). The Blu Boys can afford to lose to the Kiwis, though, and still make it to the Final 8 by winning two of their remaining five assignments. “Kaya natin ang Botswana at Denmark. Nakita na naming ang laro nila. Ang U.S. baka matsambahan," chorused ASA-Phil operations manager Jun Veloso and delegation head Kiko Diaz. The United States finally barged into the win column following its 15-0 shutout loss to New Zealand Friday with a 7-0 blanking of Denmark in the other Pool A game. Host and previous runner up Canada, meanwhile, shared the Pool B lead with Australia following its 9-2, five-inning drubbing of The Czech Republic. The Aussies matched the hosts’ 2-0 mark with a 10-2 manhandling of Puerto Rico . - GMANews.TV