Dolphins, Sharks begin Baseball Series title duel

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu and Manila start their showdown for the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI crown today with odds just about even between the league’s most fancied teams at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City.

The Dolphins and the Sharks are raring to slug it out coming off a three-week break, promising a hotly-contested match in the best-of-three series presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and organized by Community Sports Inc.

Gametime is at 1:30 p.m.

Manila team manager Jhoel Palanog believes that the title series will virtually be a battle of wits.

“When you play against coach Isaac (Bacarisas), you expect a chess game,” said Palanog, referring to the Dolphins’ mentor.

Bacarisas, on the other hand, said that the Dolphins, seeking to win a league-best three crowns, need to overpower Manila’s power-packed roster of pitchers that includes national players Charlie Labrador and Jon Jon Robles and young hurlers Mick Natividad and Mike Gante.

“They have pitchers but we have the hitters,” said Bacarisas, who will rely on home-run artists Jonash Ponce and Miggy Corcuera.

But Cebu also boasts of talented pitchers, including lefty veteran national player Joseph Orillana and Fil-Am Lorenzo Ubungen.

The game will be broadcast live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 and will be televised on a delayed basis on July 22, 2-4 p.m. over NBN-4.

In the first game, Alabang and Batangas square off for third place honors at 9 a.m.

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