Sharks nip Dolphins in opener

MANILA, Philippines - Manila opened its title-retention drive on a scrambling note, edging Cebu, 5-4, yesterday at the start of the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VII at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Taguig.

Marvin Malig slammed a two-run home run in the first inning while Edward Landicho blasted a go-ahead single for the defending champion Sharks, who yielded three runs on the top of the first inning.

Malig’s home run off Cebu starter Christian Maghanoy cut the deficit to 2-3 and the Sharks gained the lead on a Landico double which scored Malig, who earlier singled, and 16-year-old rookie Paco Tantuico who doubled.

Fifteen-year old rookie Franco Hashimoto then scored on an error and the Sharks took a 5-3 lead at the end of the third en route to victory.

In a rematch of the Series VI title protagonists last July, Cebu scored three runs in the early going as Joseph Orillana scored on an error and Jonard Pareja hit a two-run double in the first inning off newly acquired national pitcher Roy Baclay.

The league is presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade, Rawling’s, 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 Sports Radio 918 as partners.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, try to bounce back today as they face the Taguig Patriots at 1 p.m. Alabang and Series V champion Batangas make their debut at 9 a.m.