Tigers down Uni-bikers for solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - Alabang rallied again to claim another win, this time from five runs down as it turned back Dumaguete, 10-6, last Sunday to seize the solo lead in the Baseball Philippines Series 9 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Carlos Laurel twirled a three-hit, six-inning relief job for the Tigers, who scored seven runs in a three-inning stretch from the bottom fifth while holding the Uni-bikers scoreless to turn a 2-5 deficit into a 9-5 lead for the win.

It was a big follow-up to Alabang’s come-from-behind 13-12 win over Batangas last Saturday where the Tigers fought back from eight runs down to frustrate the Bulls in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade, Emperador Light, Clark Development Corp., Harbour Centre and Philippine Transmarine Corp.

An RBI double by Jay Laurel brought in two runners for Alabang in the bottom of the third before the Tigers closed to within one run on Mark Anthony Kakisako and Carlos Laurel, who scored on a fielding error by the Uni-bikers in the fifth.

An errant throw by Dumaguete second baseman Jezreel Rosita in an attempt to put Kakisako out at first base sent Jay Laurel home to tie the game. Andro Cuyugan gave Alabang the lead when he advanced to home plate on a double steal.

Laurel then came in for starting pitcher Laurence Ruiz to preserve Alabang’s lead, allowing just a run before the Tigers scored again when Carlos Munoz slammed a two-run double in the seventh frame.

Dumaguete had a five-run lead on a Nelson Salazar three-run double in the second inning but the Uni-bikers’ starting pitcher Amber Plaza gave up five runs in five innings, enabling the Tigers to get back into the game.