QC-Taguig showdown ushers in Baseball Phils Series VII

MANILA, Philippines - A new team and a new commissioner highlight the new series of the Baseball Philippines as the Dunkin’ Donuts Series VII gets under way today at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Taguig City.

Quezon City joins the three-year-old league as it takes over the spot vacated by Pampanga with the Angels out to create an impact early as they join the crack six-team roster that includes defending champion Manila, Cebu, Batangas, Alabang and Taguig.

The Sharks and the Dolphins clash in the first game at 9 a.m. while Quezon City debuts against Taguig at 1 p.m.

Manila, behind Finals MVP pitcher Jon Jon Robles, beat Cebu, 2-1, to take the Series VI crown last July.

The Manila-Cebu duel will be broadcast live on Sports Radio 918.

To ensure its competitiveness, QC retained some of the players of Pampanga, including Jeffrey Ardio, Ernesto Binarao, Allen Dizon and Rizel Santos. The team will be handled by University of the Philippines baseball coach Roger Duliesco.

The league, organized by Community Sports Inc., also welcomes new commissioner Amando “Wopsy” Zamora, who has promised an action-packed conference and at the same time lift the level of play in the country’s premier baseball league.

Despite being the head of one of SM’s major contractors, Zamora is no stranger to baseball, having been a color commentator for Silverstar Communications in its baseball coverage of the UAAP from 1989 to 1992.

He also guided the National University Bulldogs to a second-place finish in the UAAP Season 71 baseball tournament as team manager.

Zamora said he will also bat for the unification of several baseball associations under one organization for tournaments to flourish and sponsors to come in to further develop the sport.

“It is a sport which does not require the height, heft and impulsiveness of basketball. It is a sport that requires more brain than brawn. It is a strategic sport which fits the Filipino’s natural talent of situational management,” Zamora said.

Teams will compete in a single-round elimination with the top four teams entering the semifinals with the best two teams having a twice-to-beat advantage.

Winners in the semifinals will play in a best-of-three finals series slated Dec. 11, 18 and 19.