Uni-bikers foil Patriots' bid

MANILA, Philippines - Dumaguete put five runs on the board in the final inning to outclass Taguig, 8-4, yesterday, foiling the Patriots’ bid for the No. 3 spot at the close of the elimination round of Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa.

The Uni-bikers closed out their campaign with a 2-8 record in a tie with the Alabang Tigers for fifth but the loss proved tough for the Patriots, who will now meet top seed Manila in the semifinal round of the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

The game was tied at 3 at the bottom eighth but Dumaguete took the lead in the ninth after Taguig pitcher Darwin Dela Calzada’s throw to third base after a Carlo Conge bunt went wild, scoring Nelson Salazar.

Salazar then scored on an error before Amber Plaza, Mike Gante and Deo Remollo pushed runners home for a 8-3 Dumaguete lead.

Alfredo Olivarez scored Pepe Jose on a single for Taguig but Dumaguete’s Ernesto Binarao completed the game with a ground out to Jeffrey Hardillo to end the game.

Top-seed Manila will thus face Taguig while Cebu will meet Batangas in the semis Saturday with the Sharks and Dolphins holding a twice-to-beat advantages.

Dumaguete took a 3-2 lead on a Plaza two-run double in the fifth but Hardillo tied the game on an RBI single by JB Castro to score Hardillo in the eighth inning.

The league is also sponsored by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Victory Liner and Clark Development Corp. with support from Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio 918.

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