Bulls down Uni-bikers, reach semis

MANILA, Philippines - Batangas used a three-run binge in the sixth inning to regain control then leaned on Romeo Jasmin’s solid relief job to pound out a 7-4 victory over Dumaguete, and clinch the third semifinal berth in Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the Parade Grounds in Clark Field, Pampanga yesterday.

Justin Zialcita notched the go-ahead run in the sixth while Jasmin preserved Batangas’ lead in a relief appearance as the Bulls rolled to their fifth win in 10 outings to advance in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

Taguig took the last semis seat with a 9-6 win over Alabang in the other game.

The Patriots, improved to 4-5 made it to the semis for the first time since the BP Series 4 in 2008. The Tigers took its seventh loss against two wins.

Alex Ching tripled to spark Batangas’ fightback in the bottom of the sixth and scored on a Carlo Banzon single to tie the game at four before Zialcita made it a two-run game with a long drive to right field to send Banzon and Randy De Leon home for a 6-4 Bulls lead.

 Jojo Apura scored on a catching error in the outfield to add another run in the seventh inning of the match which served as the fifth out-of-town game of the league backed by Clark Development Corp., Victory Liner, SM City Clark and San Miguel Corp.

Jasmin took over in the seventh and never allowed a run, giving up only a hit while striking out two batters to send the Bulls to the next round while booting out the Uni-bikers, who took their seventh loss against a lone victory.

Batangas assistant coach Emerson Barandoc said that the players were tired after defeating the Uni-bikers, 11-0, last Saturday.

“It’s a good thing we recovered in the sixth, then Romeo held on. He really is our closer,” said Barandoc

The league is backed by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio 918.