Harbour-backed Sharks score baseball breakthru

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Sharks of Harbour Centre finally ended their quest in baseball front by winning the Dunkin Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium recently.

Foiled thrice – two in the finals and once in the semis after posting an impressive 10-1 mark in the elims – the Sharks made sure they will end up winners this time by nosing out the Cebu Dolphins, 2-1.

The win was sweet considering their heartaches and misfortunes in the past, including their defeat to Dolphins in the 2007 Series 2.

Applying the same formula and attitude used by Harbour basketball squad in winning a record seven straight PBL titles, the Sharks dominated their rivals in the tournament after getting the right guy for the job.

Hurler Jon Jon Robles turned out to be the shining knight for the Manila Sharks as he terrorized the Dolphins in Games 1 and 3 to give Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero his 11th crown, counting the SEABA Championship, the 2007 SEA Games gold medal and ASEAN Basketball League championship.

“As always, our never-say-die attitude carried us. It’s nice to have players who refuse to lose,” said Romero.

Team manager Richard Cruz, meantime, expressed his deep gratitude to Romero and Harbour Centre chief finance officer Edwin Galvez for their all-out support and for believing that they are also capable of winning a championship and be called champions just like the Batang Pier.

The Sharks also lost in the finals to the Batangas Bulls in a previous title clash.

Meanwhile, the Sharks intend to further boost their line-up for the coming tournament, and hopefully match the record set by the Batang Pier in the PBL.