THE Philippines gave perennial champion United States a scare of a lifetime before yielding, 0-1, in the men’s softball World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, over the weekend.
The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Boys were never intimidated in the game that saw the Americans escaping with the victory behind Nicholas Mullins in the third inning off a wild pitch by top Filipino hurler Leo Barredo .
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier was all praises for the Blu Boys.
“Before they left , I told them that I will be happy to see them lose as long as they give it their best and keep the games close, and that is exactly what they did,” Lhuillier said. “This for me was a morale booster for the team as they go up against defending champions Argentina in their second game,”
Argentina also found a tough opponent in Cuba as the Argentinians a scored a narrow 3-1 win.
World No. 2 team Japan posted the most impressive victory, 11-0, over South Africa while host New Zealand gave a reason for its fans to rejoice following a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.
Canada also won its opening game, 3-2, over Venezuela, while Australia blanked Denmark, 7-0.