Manila nips Makati, enters baseball semis

The Harbour Centre-backed Manila team survived a late surge by a gritty Makati squad as it carved out a pulsating 9-8 victory yesterday to clinch the first of the two outright semifinal berths in Baseball Philippines’ Series 3 at the Rizal Baseball Stadium.

Designated hitter Romy Bumagat’s double scored catcher Rommel Roja in the eighth inning for the go-ahead run and Romeo Jasmin held off the Mariners in the bottom ninth to preserve the victory.

Its eighth win in nine outings moved Manila closer to gaining top seeding while Makati, the pilot series titlist, absorbed its ninth straight defeat.

“That was a key hit by Romy (Bumagat). Our pitching was also solid especially in the late innings,” said Manila manager Jhoel Palanog, opting to rest top hurler Charlie Labrador to give their other pitchers the needed exposure.

Earlier, Series 2 champion Cebu smashed Antipolo City, 12-7, to join idle Forward Taguig at second place on 6-3 (win-loss) records.

Second baseman Emerson Atilano belted a two-run double to spark a five-run splurge in the bottom fourth and take the fight out of the Pilgrims.

Antipolo reeled with its sixth setback against three wins and would need at least one win in its last three assignments to clinch the last quarterfinal spot.

First baseman Marvin Malig singled in a run that triggered a six-run first inning barrage for the Sharks.