Batangas slashes Cebu, forces playoff

Batangas drew strength from its pitching and an avalanche of hits as it walloped classification round topnotcher Cebu, 9-2, yesterday to remain on track for a second straight title in Baseball Philippines’ Series IV at the Rizal baseball stadium.

Young hurler Vladimir Eguia yielded two hits and a run in six complete innings as the Bulls snared the win that forced a sudden death with the Dolphins for a finals berth today.

Centerfielder Teddy Landicho showed why he’s one of the league’s best leadoff batters with two RBIs in three of five times at bat while second baseman Vio Roxes also belted in two runs.

“We’re peaking at the right time, we’re starting to play the same way we did when we won in Series III,” said Batangas manager Randy Dazer, the man behind the team’s Series III success.

Needing just a win to advance to the best-of-three finale, the Dolphins couldn’t muster the same energy and aggressiveness they displayed in topping the classification round and came short against a team that struggled before the playoffs.

Joseph Orillana, the Series I and II Most Valuable Player, was pelted with seven hits and fou runs in just three and 3/4 innings while Jerome Bacarisas allowed five hits and five runs.

Cebu, however, will have another chance as it takes on Batangas anew at 10 a.m. today with the winner advancing to the championship.

“We’ll try again tomorrow (today),” said Cebu manager Isaac Bacarisas, who missed the services of hefty, powerhitting first baseman and Babe Ruth fanatic Migs Corcuera due to his studies, in Filipino.

Mizuno, Gatorade, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Welcoat Paints, Industrial Enterprises, Inc., Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park and Agility Logistics are sponsoring this tournament with Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PABA, Sports Radio and Makisig Sports as partners.