Blu Boys' quarterfinal bid stymied by Americans

The Philippines’ bid for a passage in the quarterfinal round suffered another delay when the Blu Boys bowed to the United States, 4-9, in Day 4 of the 2009 World Men’s Softball Championship Monday in Saskatoon, Canada (Tuesday in Manila).

Not even the presence of RP’s No. 1 pitcher Roger Rojas helped in preventing the Blu Boys from incurring their second straight defeat following their 8-1 loss to three-time defending champion New Zealand the day before. Rojas, the man responsible for the Philippines ’ 4-3 win over Mexico in the opening day Friday, lasted for only two innings, surrendering two runs in the first before he was replaced by lefty Leo Barredo in the third. Barredo, one of three rookie hurlers in the lineup, proved ineffective too, as well as fellow first timers Vic Marquez and George Marquez, whom coach Zacky Bacarisas fielded in one after another in a futile exercise as the Americans, five-time winners in this biennial tournament, peppered them with nine hits en route to seven more runs. The Filipinos, on the other hand, could only connect four times, sending four runners in the seven-inning encounter, a pair in the opening frame and a run each in the fourth and seventh frames. All's not lost Still, all is not lost for the Blu Boys’ bid for a seat in the Final 8, which will be played under the knockout system of play. To remain in contention for a place in the quarters in Pool A, the Blu Boys must win at least two of their remaining three assignments. They start their mission against their Asian championship tormentor Japan Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) before testing the mettle of winless Botswana the following day. They end their elimination round campaign against Denmark Thursday. “Hindi pa tapos ang laban. Ang importante ay makapasok sa quarters at doon na tayo magpapakamatay para naman makalusot sa Final 4," coach Zacky Bacarisas said, hinting he will start with Barredo against Japan as the Asian champion’s batters looked uneasy against left-handed pitchers. The Japanese, incidentally, lost to Great Britain, 3-4 in what created a triple tie for third place in Pool A among them, the Filipinos and the Englishmen, all toting an even 2-2 win-loss card each. The U.S. was alone in second at 3-1 behind Pool A leader New Zealand (4-0). Host Canada , meanwhile, continued to pace Pool B with a clean 4-0 slate following its 9-0 blanking of Indonesia in only five innings. Australia, which beat South Africa, 11-2, also in five, was in solo second at 3-1 followed by The Czech Republic, Argentina and Venezuela, all at 2-2. - GMANews.TV