BLU BOYS. RP Blu Boys coaches Ray Pagkaliwagan (left) and Sid Abello talk about the team's impressive showing at the Softball World Cup during the PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Tuesday (Dec. 6, 2022). The Philippines improved its world ranking after the tournament 21 to 10 after the tournament held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4 in Auckland, New Zealand. (PNA photo by Jesus M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA – The RP Blu Boys made a good impression at the Softball World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand where they finished 10th among 12 countries.
The team, composed of pitchers Marlon Pagkaliwagan, Leo Barredo, Reagan Parco, Julius dela Cruz and Lyonas de Leon; catchers Melvin de Castro and Kenneth Torres; infielders Jerome Bacarisas, Michael Pagkaliwagan, Julius Diaz and Justin Jhon Rosales; and outfielders Denmark Bathan, Gerone Riparip, Francis Generoso, Mark Gaspi and Efril Mercado, has moved up the world rankings from No. 21 to No. 10.
"We are blessed that despite our players being young, they performed very well. We are very proud of them," said coaches Ray Pagkaliwagan and Sid Abello during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Tuesday.
The Blu Boys put up a gallant stand against their seasoned opponents. They lost to Argentina, United States, Cuba, New Zealand and the Czech Republic in Group A but regained their form in the Placement Round, thrashing Denmark (8-0) and South Africa (4-0).
“I told the players not to be pressured, just enjoy the game because we had nothing to lose” said Abello, who emphasized the importance of exposure.
“We really lack exposure so in Group A, it's our first time to encounter that kind of bola and many variation,” Abello added, citing the pitches flying as fast as 132 kilometers per hour.
Pagkaliwagan said the fastest pitch in the national team is at 121 kph.
"These teams are always playing together so they're used to fast balls. Our training is only at the Rizal Memorial,” he said. "They got used to the fast ball in Group A so they were able to hit the pitches in the Placement Round."
The coaches of Argentina, which finished fourth behind Australia, Canada and the United States, even offered the RP Blu Boys to train there.
"We just have to take care of our airfare and they will take care of our food and accommodation," said Pagkaliwagan, adding that the Blu Boys held the Argentines to a 0-0 standoff after eight innings.
"They cannot believe that despite using all their top pitchers, they had a hard time with us," he added.
Meanwhile, the two Filipino coaches bared plans to hold tournaments in the Visayas and Mindanao to look for potential talents. (PNA)
