Manila IX eyes No. 3 vs Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines -  Top meets bottom as unbeaten Manila takes on winless Pampanga at resumption today of the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa City.

The Sharks, who nipped the Cebu Dolphins, 8-7, last week, gun for their third straight victory as they battle the Sand Kings, who dropped their first two games.

Gametime is at 9 a.m.

Manila, however, will miss the services of national pitcher Charlie Labrador and one-time Czech Republic professional league hurler Jon Jon Robles after they accumulated 85 and 57 pitches, respectively, against the Dolphins. According to league rules, a pitcher is not allowed to pitch in his next game if he throws more than 50 in his prior game.

With the duo out, Manila team manager Joel Palanog said the Sharks must improve on their defense after committing four errors against the Dolphins.

The Sharks are expected to rely on National U pitchers Mick Natividad and Mike Gante, who both shone in the team’s 5-4 win over defending champion Batangas in the inaugurals of the tournament presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and organized by Community Sports Inc.

The Sand Kings, on the other hand, try to recover from their sorry 2-3 loss to Taguig on an RBI single by Christian De Leon in the 12th inning.

In the second game at 1:30 p.m., host Alabang shoots for its second win in three games against Taguig, which totes a 1-2 slate.

The tournament is sponsored by Gatorade, Industrial Enterprises Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio as partners.