Sharks, Dolphins seek to set title duel

Games on Saturday
(Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium)
9 a.m. – Manila vs. Taguig
1 p.m. – Cebu vs. Batangas

Manila and Cebu try to arrange a showdown for Baseball Philippines Series 8
championship as they face separate rivals on Saturday in the semifinal
round at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Sharks and the Dolphins, who finished 1-2 in the elims for twice-to-beat
edges, need only to win over the Taguig Patriots and the Batangas Bulls,
respectively, to advance to the finals of the league organized by Community
Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

A pair of reversals, however, will set the stage for sudden deaths tomorrow.

Manila, the back-to-back champion, is fancied over Taguig in the 9 a.m. match,
while the Cebu-Batangas match at 1 p.m. remains a toss-up.

The Sharks topped the elims with a 9-1 (win-loss) record while the Dolphins
posted an 8-2 slate to clinch the semis incentives.

Manila swept Taguig in their two faceoffs in the elims with the Patriots making
their first postseason stint since the BP Series 4 in 2008.

Cebu and Batangas, on the other hand, have previously met in the playoffs with
the Bulls defeating the Dolphins in the BP Series 7 semis en route to a
runner-up finish.

The Dolphins and the Bulls likewise split their two-game series in the elims,
making their showdown a match to watch in the league also backed by Harbour
Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine
Carriers, Victory Liner and Clark Development Corp.

The best-of-three championship series is set July 16.

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)