Blu Boys vie in world softball

MANILA, Philippines – The Blu Boys, composed of young and experienced players, will carry the country’s colors in the 2009 World Men’s Softball Championship set July 17-26 in Saskatoon, Canada.

The team is made up of Apolonio Rosales, Orlando Binarao, Jasper Cabrera, Manolito Binarao, Oscar Bradshaw, Isidro Abello, Darius Bacarisas, Ben Maravilles, Emerson Atilano, Anthony Santos, Roger Roxas and Vic Enriquez – all members of the RP team that finished second to Japan in the last Asian championship.

Marlon Pagkaliwagan, Leo Barredo and Jorge Marquez, three newcomers in international play, complete a five-man pitching rotation along with Roxas and Enriquez, according to head coach Zacky Bacarisas.

Six – Rosales, Orlando Binarao, Manolito Binarao, Jasper Cabrera, Darius Bacarisas and Roxas – were also in the Blu Boys’ roster that ended up ninth in the world tourney four years ago in New Zealand.

 The Blu Boys, according to Amateur Softball Association Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier during yesterday’s SCOOP weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant, have been training in earnest since qualifying for the world tilt two years ago.

“The Blu Boys are prepared and ready for the task assigned to them, ” Lhuillier said.