Bulls battle Sharks in baseball kickoff

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied Batangas opens its title campaign in the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI today as it battles Manila in the lone game set at 1:30 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Bulls swept the Sharks for the Series V crown last August, making them the early favorites in the event presented by Dunkin’ Donuts. Batangas is gunning for its third crown after ruling the inaugural staging of the country’s premier baseball league three years ago.

Officials of the organizing Community Sports Inc. and the sponsoring Dunkin’ Donuts will grace the opening rites at 12 noon.

The Bulls of coach Randy Dizer will lean on hurlers Romeo Jasmin and Vladymir Eguia. Jasmin, a standout from Adamson, won last series’ Most Valuable Player, while Eguia, from University of the Philippines, led the Bulls’ romp in Series V to win the finals MVP.

In offense, Batangas is expected to rely on national mainstays Vio Roxas and Junifer Pinero.

The Sharks, on the other hand, boasts of national player Charlie Labrador to handle the pitching chores and Niño Tator and Rommel Roja for the batting with back-up to come from young guns Francis Candela, Marvin Malig and Jarus Inobio.