Cebu sweeps past Taguig in Baseball Philippines Series

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu went on a five-run binge in the eighth inning as it fashioned out a come-from-behind 7-2 win over Taguig at resumption of action in the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium yesterday.

The Dolphins canned Patriots starting pitcher Darwin Dela Calzada with four of the five runs in the eighth frame as they capped their fightback from 0-2 down in the third for the victory that tied them in the early lead with the surprise opening day winner Manila Sharks.

The Sharks nipped the defending champion Batangas Bulls, 5-4, in Sunday’s inaugurals of the tournament presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and organized by Community Sports Inc.

Dela Calzada threw 111 pitches in the game, which proved to be too much for the RP hurler.

The Alabang Tigers scored five runs in the first two innings then went on to beat the expansion team Pampanga Sand Kings, 6-2, in the second game.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Cebu’s Jonard Pareja walked, Fulgencio Rances got a single on a bunt and Joseph Orillana walked to load the bases before Florentino Ubungen drew another walk to score Pareja for the lead.

Miggy Corcuera then sent Rances and Orillana home on a single while Jonash Ponce also singled to score Ubugen, giving the Dolphins a 6-2 lead.

Not even the entry of first baseman Fernando Badrina for Dela Calzada could slow down the Dolphins, who scored another run on a sacrifice fly by Lorenzo Ubungen.

“They had no choice but play Darwin that long,” said Cebu team manager Isaac Bacarisas. “Good thing, we settled down for that comeback.”

Cebu tied the game in the fifth on an RBI single by starting pitcher Lorenzo Ubungen and a sacrifice fly by Bacchus Ledesma.

Ubungen, a Fil-Am from San Francisco State, allowed only two hits in five innings after yielding the Patriots’ first two runs in the third inning.

“I think he (Lorenzo) is still adjusting with the climate but he gave us a good outing,” said Bacarisas, now the new coach of the National University in the UAAP.

A sacrifice fly by Dela Calzada scored Richard Siacor as Christian De Leon made an RBI single to give Taguig an early 2-0 lead.

The tournament is backed by Gatorade, Industrial Enterprises Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio 918.