Bambol Servo batted in the winning run at the bottom of the ninth as Dumaguete edged Batangas, 4-3, yesterday to force a winner-take-all match for Baseball Philippines’ Series 3 crown at the Rizal baseball stadium.
The resilient Unibikers, who overcame twice-to-beat disadvantages in the playoffs on their way to the finals, try to complete their remarkable campaign today with no less than a championship at stake in the decider of their best-of-three showdown today.
Earlier, Batangas’ Virgilio Roxas was named Home Run King with five home runs while his manager Randy Dizer was awarded the Best Coach during awards rites. Other awardees were Cebu’s Fulgencio Rances (best hitter), Manila’s Charlie Labrador (best pitcher) and Ronald Olan (best umpire).
The event, organized by Community Sports Inc., is backed by Harbour Centre, IEI, PTC, The Heritage Park, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, San Mig Coffee, Welcoat Paints and Mizuno with Sports Radio 918 as media partner.
Servo, a 34-year-old shortstop, hit a two-out grounder to centerfield off losing pitcher Justin Zialcita, sending home pinch runner Edward Tuazon.