Sharks feast on Tigers in Baseball-8

MANILA, Philippines - Manila took advantage of Alabang’s inept fielding to regain its winning ways as the Sharks defeated the Tigers, 12-6, yesterday in the Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Harbour Centre-backed Sharks yielded six hits but pounced on the Tigers’ 11 errors to win, their third after absorbing a 7-9 setback to Cebu last May 1 that cut short their back-to-back victories in the opener of the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

“I told the guys to forget the loss. Although our relief pitchers struggled, I knew our offense would carry us through. And they delivered,” said Manila coach Jhoel Palanog.

The Sharks opened with a three-run binge in the first inning capped by an RBI double by Junifer Pinero then came through with a big four-run splurge in the sixth inning from a Jennald Pareja two-run single.

But the Tigers fought back and scored three runs as the Sharks allowed six walks in the seventh but the two-time defending champions countered with a pair of runs of their own to scuttle their rivals.

Starter Warren Vispo pitched for six innings and allowed two runs and six hits and although relievers Paco Tantuico, Roy Baclay and Jon Jon Robles yielded three hits and eight walks, the Sharks held on to hold off the Tigers.

The league is backed by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio 918. For details, log on to www.baseballphilippines.com.