Sharks, Dolphins dispute BP crown in sudden death

Games Saturday
(Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium, Taguig City)
9 a.m. - Exhibition game
1:30 p.m. - Cebu vs. Manila (Game 3)

Cebu and Manila slug it out again for the third and last time as they dispute the Dunkin' Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI crown in a winner-take-all match at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City on Saturday.

Records are usually ignored in sudden deaths and the match set at 1:30 p.m. will be a question of desire between two teams with respective missions. The Dolphins, who forced the playoff with a thrilling 10-9 victory in Game 2
last week, are out to nail their third crown in the tournament presented by Dunkin Donuts and organized by Community Sports Inc.

The Sharks, on the other hand, are seeking their first-ever championship after two failed bids.

The Dolphins, however, will miss the services Fil-Am pitcher Lorenzo Ubungen, who went back to the US, while national hurler Joseph Orillana won"t be eligible to play after exceeding the 50-pitch count rule in Game 2.

Dabawenyo Edmer Del Socorro, who manned the mound in Game 1 won by Manila, 5-3, is also a doubtful starter after he was assigned in Zamboanga as member of the Philippine Air Force last week.

That leaves the cudgels to La Salle pitcher Sebastian Uichico and a bunch of power-hitters led by Game 2 hero Jonash Ponce and Miggy Corcuera.

"Our pitching roster has been depleted," said Cebu team manager Isaac Bacarisas in Filipino. "But there's still a lot of things that can happen in nine innings.

I'm relying on our offense so it's important that the top of the order will deliver."

The Sharks, meanwhile, try to put their act together this time after committing seven errors in Game 2.

"We'll just have to go to our usual game," said Manila team manager Jhoel Palanog. "I told the boys that if the title is for us, it's for us but we need to play hard and stick to our game plan."

The Sharks will also play minus national pitcher Charlie Labrador, who also threw more than 50 pitches in Game 2 with Czech Republic pro lefty Jon Jon Robles, Mick Natividad and Mike Gante tipped to take charge for Manila on the mound.

The game will be broadcast live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 and will be televised on a delayed basis on Aug. 5 starting at 2 p.m. on NBN-4.


The tournament is sponsored by Gatorade, Industrial Enterprises Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., Harbour Centre and The Heritage Park with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio as
partners.(pr)