MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Blu Boys and Blu Girls target another golden double as softball competitions return to the Southeast Asian Games calendar in Singapore.
The Blu Boys and the Blu Girls have dominated softball play in the three times it was offered in the biennial games (2005, 2007 and 2011) and they seek to continue the run in the June 6-10 meet at Kallang Stadium.
“They are ready,” said coach Randy Dizer.”With the preparations of our athletes, plus their edge ability-wise, I think we’ll still get it.”
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The core of the Blu Girls team that trained in the US and placed fourth in the Incheon Asian Games is back for the SEAG mission, namely Lorna Adorable, Francesca Altamonte, Veronica Belleza, Rizza Bernardino, Fil-Am Gari Blando, Luzviminda Embudo, Elma Parohinog, and Angelie Ursabia.
“We have almost the same team that went to the States for three months, went to the Asian Games and continued with its preparation so experience is not a problem. Psychologically, we have the edge because they haven’t beaten us (for the gold). In 2005, 2007 and 2011, we won both the men’s and women’s,” said Dizer.
But he maintained they are not taking the opponents lightly, especially Indonesia, which even sent its clouters to Japan and the Netherlands as well as host Singapore, which Dizer said could be the darkhorse of the meet.
The Blu Boys, meanwhile, will parade seven of the 2011 gold-winning team – Isidro Abello, Emerson Atilano, Orlando Binarao, Oscar Bradshaw, Jasper Ocampo, Edmer Socorro, and Apol Rosales – for the golden bid.
“Although the men’s team lost some players because of their basic military training, the main core is still there, seven of the starting nine are with them, so the men’s team is still confident they will get it,” said Dizer.
The Phl clouters will be challenged by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore in both divisions.
Source: Olmin Leyba of Philippine Star
