Robles strikes out six batters as Manila defeats Cebu

Game on Sunday (Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium) 1 p.m. – Manila vs. Cebu Jon Jon Robles struck out six batters as Manila moved one away from capturing its third straight crown by defeating Cebu, 6-2, Saturday in Game 1 of the Baseball Philippines Series 8 finals at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. Robles controlled Cebu’s offense as he yielded seven hits and holding Cebu to two runs in an eight-inning start to move one win away from sweeping the best-of-three championship series of the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Rawlings and Gatorade. “We tried to put Jon Jon all game as soon as we can and he really did a good job controlling Cebu’s top batters,” said Manila coach Jhoel Palanog. The Sharks can wrap up the series on Sunday in Game 2 at 1 p.m. after the league also backed by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Victory Liner and Clark Development Corp. hand out the individual awards. The game was delayed for an hour due to rain but Manila scored quickly as former University of Mindanao standout Saxon Omandac doubled to score Francis Candela in the second inning while Christian Galedo crossed home plate on an error in the third. After Tino Ubungen pushed Cebu’s first run of the game to score Joseph Orillana in the top of the fifth, Manila quickly answered at the bottom of the fifth when Galedo grounded to left field to score Rommel Roja and Jarus Inobio advancing home on a sacrifice fly by Gian Llaguno. The Sharks added an insurance run in the seventh when Galedo scampered from third base to home plate on a fielders’ choice when catcher Ubungen made a throw to first base in an attempt to put out Nino Tator for a 5-1 lead. The Philippine Under-18 baseball team beat reigning UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas, 7-0, in the exhibition game. The league is also supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and dzSR Sports Radio 918.(pr) The linescores: Cebu 000 010 010 – 2 7 3 Manila 011 020 110 – 6 11 2