Tigers seek to sustain win streak

MANILA, Philippines - Action in Baseball Philippines Series 9 shifts to Pampanga beginning today with Alabang hoping to come out strong off a three-week break and keep its win run in a grueling double-header at the Parade Grounds in Clark Field.

The Tigers, who swept their first two games at the Rizal Memorial baseball stadium, go up against the Dumaguete Uni-bikers for the second consecutive time at 9 a.m. in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade, Emperador Light, Clark Development Corp., Harbour Centre and Philippine Transmarine Corp.

Alabang then returns to the field at 1 p.m. to take on three-time defending champion Manila as CSI lined up a heavy six-game bill to be played at three baseball fields constructed inside the former American military base.

The Tigers have been the big surprise in the early going of the tournament, scoring a five-run comeback to beat the Uni-bikers, 10-6, last April 1. They also trailed by eight runs before snatching a 13-12 win over Batangas in the opener last month.

However, Alabang’s pitchers, led by Carlos Muñoz and Adriane Bernardo, will have its hands full against the big-hitting Dumaguete side, headed by Dio Remollo, who delivered the first home run of BP Series 9 in the Uni-bikers’ 10-3 win over Cebu last March 31.

In other morning games also to be played simultaneously at 9 a.m., the Sharks hope to get back from a 7-12 defeat to the Cebu Dolphins last April 1 as they go up against the Batangas Bulls, who beat the Taguig Patriots, 9-3.

The Dolphins also go for their second consecutive victory against the Patriots.

The Uni-bikers will then face the Patriots and the Dolphins battle the Bulls in the 1 p.m. matches right after simple opening rites to formally launch the series.