Sharks down Patriots, gain finals

Two-time defending champion Manila made a return trip to the finals of Baseball
Philippines as it subdued Taguig, 2-0, behind another defensive gem in their
semifinal matchup in BP Series 8 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
Saturday.

Pitchers Charlie Labrador and Jon Jon Robles yielded a combined five hits but
the Sharks’ fielders stranded eight runners to blank the Patriots and book the
first finals berth – and their fourth consecutive – in the league organized by
Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Rawlings and Gatorade.

Marvin Malig’s RBI singles in the first and eighth innings proved to be enough
as pitching and defense did it for the Harbour Centre-backed Sharks in the
league backed by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers,
Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Victory Liner and Clark Development Corp.

“We had a hard time with Taguig’s defense and we haven’t played for almost a
month. But we will always depend on pitching and defense and that is what the
team showed,” said Manila coach Jhoel Palanog.

Taguig pitcher Justin Payongayong gave up seven hits in a complete game but the
Patriots failed to cash in on the other end in the face of the Sharks’ solid
defense. The Patriots had five hits and had seven runners in scoring position
but failed to draw the much-needed hits.

Jennald Pareja walked, reached second on a Nino Tator groundout and scored when
Malig blasted a hit to left center field to start off the game.

Pareja also scored off Malig’s hit in the eighth on a bloop single to left field
after the former singled, stole second and reached third on another single by
Christian Galedo.

The league is supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic
Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires
Association and dzSR Sports Radio 918.(pr)


Linescores:
Taguig   000 000 000  0 5 1
Manila  100 000 01x  2  7 3