Blu Boys, Girls off to big start

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Team Philippines came up with a twin kill in an explosive start in the rain, trouncing Thailand, 8-1, in the men’s event and Singapore, 7-0, in the women’s side — in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Softball (ASEAN) Championships at old Victoria Institute grounds here.

Florante Acuña pitched a one-hitter in a no-relief job as the Blu Boys smashed the Thais in a game delayed for more than an hour due to incessant rains.

Corazon Soberre and Cyrel Ramos spearheaded the Blu Girls’ romp over the Singaporeans in the event the Filipinos are using to hone up for the coming Southeast Asian Games. Their trip here is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by William "Butch" Ramirez, Jean Henri Lhuillier, Burlington Socks and Accel.

"It’s a good start," said RP softball chief and delegation head Harry Angping, who arrived Wednesday night along with the 43-man strong Philippine team that includes softball secretary-general and men’s team coach Eufracio "Ofring" dela Cruz.

The Thais struck right in the first inning when Ruxsasri Pairoj fired a single to right field scoring Lowhaphan Kaittipong who earlier went on board on a walk.

But the Zamboanga City-based Acuña settled down and defused the Thai offense with six strikeouts in the next four innings while the Filipinos routed the Thais with eight runs and won the abbreviated match on seven-run lead "mercy rule".

Apolonio Rosales, 28, led the RP siege as he went three-for-three at bat, scoring two runs at the plate as he came out perfect in three times at bat, scoring two runs, the first tying the count at the bottom of the opening frame.