Series III champion Batangas opens its campaign for back-to-back title against Dumaguete as action in Baseball Philippines’ Series IV resumes today with an explosive triplebill at the Rizal Baseball Stadium.
The 10:30 a.m. duel between the Bulls and the Unibikers serves as a rematch of their Series III finals showdown where the former trounced the latter in a weather-delayed, sudden death clash.
The Forward Taguig Patriots and the Cebu Dolphins, the Series II titlists, kick off hostilities in the two-month long tournament organized by Community Sports Inc. as they mix it up at 7 a.m. while the Muntinlupa Mariners and the Manila Sharks tangle in the 2 p.m. encounter.
“It’s a brand-new start for us but it feels good coming from our Series III victory,” said Batangas team manager Randy Dizer.
The Bulls will practically parade the same team that won last season’s title headed by hurler Vladimir Eguia, who twirled a perfect game in the opener of the last best of three finals.
The Lito Pulgo-mentored Unibikers, for their part, likewise retained an almost intact squad that includes the power-hitting bunch of Kelly Culubong, Marlon Caspillo, Saxon Omandac, Bambol Servo and Darwin dela Calzada.
The Sharks and the Dolphins likewise kept their respective rosters, ensuring another thrilling encounters among the country’s top baseball squads and a wild chase for the championship in the event sponsored by Industrial Enterprises, Inc., Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Agility Logistics, Inc., Mizuno Sports, Gatorade, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Welcoat Paints.
Manila, for one, had Charlie Labrador, one of the country’s top pitchers, and Romy Bumagat, Marvin Malig, Rommel Roja and Niño Tator among others.
The Isaac Bacarisas-mentored Cebu, for its part, boasts of a formidable cast headed by Series II MVP Joseph Orillana, Emer Atilano, Miggy Corcuera and celebrities Richard Gomez and Gary Estrada.
Other backers of the tournament are the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association, DZSR Sports Radio and Makisig Sports. — end it//thanks