Cebu nips Dumaguete, clinches baseball crown

Cebu drew strength from Joseph Orillana’s superb all-around game as it pulled off a 1-0 victory over Dumaguete to capture Baseball Philippines’ Series IV crown at the Rizal Baseball Stadium yesterday.

Orillana twirled a four-hitter and walked two in a no-relief job to fashion out the shutout victory. He also drilled in the squeeze play for the game-winning run on the top fifth inning as the Dolphins completed a two-game sweep of their best-of-three series to claim their second championship after ruling the Series II crown.

The win came on the heels of the Dolphins’ dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 victory in the opener that saw them rally from three runs down with four runs in the final two innings.

Orillana, the Series II MVP, rolled in a one-out bunt off Dumaguete starter Darwin dela Calzada, scoring third baseman Jordan Orobia, who reached scoring position on a wild pitch and a fielding error by second base Bay dela Cerna.

Orillana, a former La Salle standout, went on to bag his second MVP plum in the league organized by Community Sports Inc.

“It was really a gamble but I have faith in Joseph (Orillana) because I know he bunts well. I’m glad we took the risk,” said Cebu team manager Isaac Bacarisas in Filipino.

After Cebu shattered the scoreless tie in the fifth, Orillana held his ground on the mound, fanning out home run king Kiko Ramos.

“When the squeeze play was signaled, my focus was to bunt it to where there was no one to get close to it. I’m glad I hit it perfectly,” said the 28-year-old Orillana. “I thank our coaching staff and the team for the faith they have in me.”

The Unibikers thus fell short of their title bid for the second straight time after losing the Series III championship to the Batangas Bulls in three games.

“We lost the series because of errors and some bad breaks leading to that squeeze play,” said Dumaguete pitching manager Lito Pulgo.

It was a heartbreaker for Dela Calzada, who appeared headed for a no-hit job when Orillana came with that pivotal bunt in the fifth. He later allowed three more hits.