Dolphins sink Mariners, close in on semis seat

Series II champion Cebu continued to dish out fine form, shutting out Muntinlupa, 12-0, in an abbreviated contest to close in on one of the two automatic semifinal berths in Baseball Philippines’ Series IV at the Rizal Baseball Stadium yesterday.

Jeffrey Ardio and Sebastian Uichico combined for a three-hit job while third baseman Emerson Atilano and centerfielder Jonash Ponce batted in five runs in a big Cebu blitz in the sixth and seventh innings as the Dolphins cruised to their sixth win in seven games to inch closer to the semis and the twice-to-beat edge.

“We’re hitting, pitching and fielding well because we want to make it to the semifinals first,” said Cebu team manager Isaac Bacarisas in Filipino.

The match was stopped after seven innings on the 10-run mercy rule. The Mariners absorbed their second straight defeat and third overall against three wins.

Earlier, Forward Taguig trounced Dumaguete, 9-4, to notch its fifth straight triumph against an opening day loss to remain at solo second in the league sponsored by Mizuno, Gatorade, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Welcoat Paints, Industrial Enterprises, Inc., Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park and Agility Logistics.