MANILA, Philippines – Top meets bottom as unbeaten Batangas takes on winless Forward Taguig at the resumption of action in Baseball Philippines’ Series 5 at the Rizal Memorial baseball stadium today.
The Bulls swept their first four games and are heavily favored over the Patriots in the 2 p.m. encounter of another triplebill. Taguig dropped its first four assignments in the league organized by Community Sports Inc.
Cebu also tries to keep its unblemished slate as it goes for its fourth straight victory against an equally tough Manila side in the 10:30 a.m. game. The Sharks tote a 3-1 slate.
Alabang and Dumaguete open hostilities at 7 a.m. in a duel of struggling teams with the Tigers seeking their second win in five games and the Uni-Bikers out to break into the win column after losing their first three matches.
Hurlers Vladimir Eguia and Romeo Jasmin will try to keep Batangas’ run going with support from the team’s top hitters in Vio Roxas, Junifer Pinero and Jojo Apura.
Ace pitcher Ernesto Binarao, on the other hand, hopes to finally deliver the elusive win for the Patriots.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Joseph Orillana, outfielder Jonash Ponce and catcher Fongs Rances and the rest of the Dolphins face their toughest test against the Sharks after beating Uni-Bikers and Patriots by an average of seven runs.
The Sharks, led by pitcher Charlie Labrador and third baseman Niño Tator, try to bounce back from a dismal 3-5 loss to Alabang that halted their three-game binge.
The Tigers (formerly Muntinlupa Mariners), meanwhile, hope to come up with a follow up to their upset win over the Sharks behind Ruben Angeles, Matt Laurel and pitchers Ruel Batuto and Roy Baclay.
Dumaguete, which lost twice in the finals last year, will lean on 2008 MVP Darwin dela Calzada and fellow RP team mainstay Andro Cuyugan.