Blu Boys rout Malaysians in Asian softball opener

KITA-KYUSHU, Japan — The Philippines outclassed Malaysia and came away with an abbreviated 7-0 rout as the Blu Boys opened their bid in the eighth Asian Men’s Softball Championship on a high note here Thursday.

Florante Acuña gave up only two hits while the Blu Boys clobbered the Malaysians with 10 hits en route to the one-sided victory on a sunny, cold day.

The Philippines hopes to sustain its romp as it faces Hong Kong and Singapore today. The Blu Boys are also scouting the Indonesians for a possible meeting in the next round.

"The team did well for our first game and I hope this same kind of intensity will continue in the next few days," said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL).

Earlier in the day, Japan kicked off its campaign with an 18-0 thrashing of Thailand.

With five holdovers from last year’s line-up, the young Japanese squad faces Brunei and Indonesia next.

In the other game, Hong Kong prevailed over Singapore, 7-1.