Sharks down Dolphins, near baseball crown

Games on July 24

(Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium, Taguig City)

9 a.m. – Pampanga vs. Taguig (Exhibition Game)

11:30 a.m. – Awarding Ceremonies

1:30 p.m. – Manila vs. Cebu (Game 2)

Manila moved one win away from claiming its first-ever championship in the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI as it repulsed Cebu, 5-3, in Game One of their best-of-three series at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City, Saturday.

Jon Jon Robles took over from a struggling Charlie Labrador, allowing only one hit in eight innings to steer the Sharks past the Dolphins. Labrador groped for form early as he yielded three runs on three hits in the first, prompting Robles to take charge on the mound.

The Sharks, meanwhile, stormed in the second inning with two runs on RBIs by Christian Galedo and Rommel Roja to break a 3-all count that proved to be the final score as both teams fought to a scoreless game the rest of the way.

“Charlie wasn’t playing well so we decided to put in Jon Jon. He really stepped up,” said Manila team manager Jhoel Palanog.

Jarus Inobio was hit by a pitch, stole second and reached third on a wild pitch before he scored on a Galedo single. Galedo, on the other hand, scored on a sacrifice fly by Roja in the second inning.

The Sharks go for the crown in Game 2 on July 24, also at the Taguig venue, hoping to wrap it all up after two failed title bids, including one against Cebu in Series III of the league presented by Dunkin Donuts and organized by Community Sports Inc.

Cebu surged ahead early at 3-0 as Joseph Orillana, Jonash Ponce and Edmer Del Socorro hit RBIs but Manila came through with a two-run double by Bambol Servo and an RBI single by Ramil Empacis to draw level.

The Sharks actually had the chance to tie the game in the eighth but del Socorro’s long fly ball was foiled by Inobio, stranding Jonash Ponce at third and preserving the lead and the victory for the Sharks.

The series opener will be aired on NBN 4 on July 22 from 2 to 4 p,m.

Meanwhile, Batangas, the Series V champion, thumped Alabang, 15-8, in the first game to clinch third place honors in the event 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)

Linescores:

First Game

Alabang                002 204 000  8 11  3

Batangas              300 613 020 15 16 4

Second Game

Cebu                     300 000 000  3  4  2

Manila                  320 000 00x  5  5  3