The Philippine men’s softball team played an almost perfect game and gave Team USA a scare at the 2022 World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Boys, however, fell short and bowed to the higher ranked Americans, 0-1, in the opening game of the most prestigious men’s softball tournament in the world.
Team USA’s Nicholas Mullins scored the lone run of the match in the third inning off a wild pitch by Leo Barredo.
The Americans felt the sting from the Filipinos as they utilized their bullpen and fielded three different pitchers in the game.
Despite the setback, Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier was all praises for the Philippine team, the lowest ranked country among the 12 nations that qualified in the ongoing World Cup.
The Philippines is ranked 21st in the world while the United States is ranked 7th.
“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. This for me was a morale booster for the team as they go up against defending champion Argentina in their second game,” said Lhuillier.
Argentina, the top seed here, also found a tough opponent in 12th ranked Cuba as the highly favored Argentinians could only come off with a close 3-1 triumph against the Cubans.
World number two Japan, meanwhile, posted the most impressive opening day victory as it routed No. 11 South Africa, 11-0.
Host New Zealand, ranked 6th in the world, gave a reason for local fans to cheer after posting a 3-1 win over No. 5 Czech Republic.
No. 3 Canada also won over No. 9 Venezuela, 3-2, even as No. 4 Australia blanked No. 10 Denmark 7-0.
