THE Philippines is hoping for a better finish as the RP Blu Boys join the 12th edition of the International Softball Federation (ISF) World Men’s Softball Championship 2009 in Canada from July 17 to 26.

Cebuano coach Isaac “Saki” Bacarisas believes his Blu Boys will make it to the playoff round against the best softball teams in the world.

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“We have a good chance of making it to the playoffs. This team has the combination of youth, experience, agility and patience,” Bacarisas told Sun.Star Cebu.

Bacarisas, who played as a shortstop during the 11th edition held in New Zealand in 2004, will take 17 players—including six Cebuanos—and three coaches to the 16-nation quadrennial event.

The Cebuanos in the line-up are Bacarisas’s younger brother Dario, who will man the first base and his three nephews, Roldan Joseph, Jerome and Jasper Cabrera.

Roldan will be the left fielder, while Jerome will take over Saki’s former role. Cabrera will be the third baseman.

The other Cebuanos in the team are second baseman Ben Maravilles and center fielder Oscar Bradshaw.

The other members are Orlando and Manolito Binarao, Emerson Atilano, Isidro Abello, Anthony Santos, Apolonio Rosales and pitchers Victorino Enrique Jr., Rogelio Rojas Jr., Marlon Pagkaliwagan, Marciano Sta. Maria and Leo Barredo.

The Philippines finished at 10th place with two wins and five losses in 2004.

The RP Blu Boys is in Pool A along with three-time world champions the New Zealand Black Sox, the United States of America, Asian champion Japan, Great Britain, Botswana, Denmark and Mexico.

The teams in Pool B are 2004 runner-up Canada, Australia, Czech Republic, Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa, Puerto Rico and Indonesia.

In 2004, the Philippines won against The Netherlands and South Africa and lost to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Samoa and Venezuela.