Bulls gore Mariners, reach semis

Series III champion Batangas put up a spirited charge as it surprised Muntinlupa, 3-0, yesterday to barge into the semifinals of Baseball Philippines’ Series IV at the Rizal Baseball Stadium.

Hardly given a chance after finishing a disappointing fifth in the classification round, the Bulls drew strength from youthful hurler Valdimir Eguia and shortstop Chris Canlas and catcher Junifer Pinero at the plate to pull the rug from under the Mariners.

The Bulls thus arranged an interesting duel with the Cebu Dolphins in a clash of past champions in the semis next week. Cebu, which captured the Series II plum, clinched the top seeding after emerging with an 8-2 slate.

Eguia yielded a five-hitter but fanned out five in nine complete innings to essay his first shutout win since hurling a no-hit, shutout job against the Dumaguete Unibikers in Game 1 of the Series’ III finals.

Canlas singled in a run to right field at the bottom of the first inning as Batangas seized a 1-0 lead. The two teams went scoreless in the next four frames before Canlas belted another hit to the same spot to make it 2-0 for the Bulls in the sixth.

Pinero then blasted a run of his own right after Canlas to send first baseman Vio Roxas safely home for another run that completely unsettled the Mariners.

Eguia then fanned nine of the next 11 batters he faced without allowing a single hit to seal the victory for the Bulls.

“This is definitely one of our best games after so many struggles,” said Batangas team manager Randy Dizer.

Muntinlupa’s Romeo Jasmin gave up a total of seven hits that led to the Bulls’ runs.

The Mariners came into the match oozing with confidence after emerging the third seed after the classification phase with a 4-6 (win-loss) record while the Bulls came in at fifth with a 3-7 card.