Dolphins, Uni-bikers eye finals

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu and Dumaguete try to arrange a title showdown for Baseball Philippines Series 9 crown today as they battle Alabang and Manila, respectively, in a pair of explosive semifinal matches at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The second seeded Uni-bikers and the Sharks tangle in the 9 a.m. contest while the top-ranked Dolphins and the Tigers collide at 1 p.m. with the top two teams needing just a win to seal a clash for the crown.

Cebu and Dumaguete dominated the elims to gain the twice-to-beat advantages in the semis of the league organized by Community Sports Inc.

But the three-time champion Sharks and the Tigers go all out to force a pair of sudden deaths in the event sponsored by Gatorade, Emperador Light, Clark Development Corp., Harbour Centre, Philippine Transmarine Corp., Summit Water and Eagle Sky Inc. with backing from Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and the Philippine Umpires Association.

The Uni-bikers face a Manila squad seeking to keep its domination of the league. Despite a roller-coaster ride in the elims, the Sharks primed up for the semis with a 3-2 win over the Dolphins last week.

The Tigers, on the other hand, dropped a close 6-7 decision to the Dolphins in their 13-inning elims meeting and are raring to put one over the fancied squad hoping to get into the finals for the second straight time.

Other backers of the event are Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and the Philippine Umpires Association.

For details, log on to www.baseballphilippines.com and www.facebook.com/baseballphilippines.