Manila, Cebu nines target finals berths

MANILA, Philippines - Manila and Cebu try to seal a showdown for the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI crown today as they take on Alabang and Batangas, respectively, in the semifinal round at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City.

The top-seeded Sharks face the No. 4 Tigers at 9 a.m. while the Dolphins, the second-ranked team after the single round robin eliminations, go up against the No. 3 Bulls at 1 p.m. , needing only a pair of wins to advance to the finals.

But victories by the Tigers and the Bulls will set up two knockout duels tomorrow for berths in the finals of the tournament presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and organized by Community Sports, Inc.

Manila and Cebu, however, are confident of victories as they seek another title clash after the Dolphins beat the Sharks in three games to win the BP Series III diadem in the tournament sponsored by Gatorade, Industrial Enterprises Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park and Genesis Transport Services

The Dolphins hope to ride on the momentum of their 11-8 victory over the Bulls last week and with team manager Isaac Bacarisas confident of his wards’ chances against the defending champions.

Bacarisas is pinning his hopes on national player Joseph Orillana and Fil-Am Lorenzo Ubungen on the mound while Jonash Ponce and Miggy Corcuera are expected to lead the team’s offense.

“We are now ahead (against Batangas),” said Bacarisas. “Top to bottom, we are complete. We just need to improve more on our defense.”

The Sharks, meanwhile, crushed the Taguig Patriots, 7-1, last week to top the elims with a 4-1 record and are heavily-favored in their semis showdown with the Tigers, whom they trounced, 15-7, in a rain-interrupted game last June 13 at the Tigers’ turf at the Alabang Country Club.

The Sharks are looking for another solid performance from their pitching duo of Charlie Labrador and Jon Jon Robles, who combined to dominate the Patriots the last time out in the tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission,Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio.