MANILA, Philippines - Taguig exploded with eight runs in the final two innings as the Patriots toppled the Dumaguete Uni-bikers, 12-3, for their first victory in Baseball Philippines Series 8 before a huge Sunday crowd at the Banlic Baseball Park in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Justin Payongayong gave up three hits in a six-inning start and the Patriots went on to clobber the Uni-bikers and snap a two-game skid in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.
Payongayong also shone in offense as he capped the Patriots’ six-run binge in the ninth with a three-run double to put the game away for the Patriots.
Dumaguete took its second straight loss.
Meanwhile, Baseball Philippines officials, led by executive director Nolan Bernardino, Taguig Vice Mayor and Patriots team owner George Elias and Dumaguete team owner Ping Remollo handed over baseball equipment to Cabuyao Vice Mayor Mel Gecolea, who also heads the town’s baseball and softball organization, in simple turnover ceremony before the Taguig-Dumaguete match.
A run-scoring single by Alfredo Olivarez followed by a two-run double by Darwin Dela Calzada opened things up for the Patriots against Dumaguete starter Edward Flores.
Julian Teves ripped an RBI single in the first while Carlo Conge scored on an error in the third inning as Dumaguete closed in at 3-2 but the Uni-bikers failed to sustain their charge against Payongayong’s solid game on the mound.
Taguig broke away in the eighth on a Jeffrey Hardillo RBI single while Dela Calzada scored on another error. The Patriots had a scoring spree in the ninth as Wilfredo Hidalgo hit an RBI single followed by that Payongayong slam into deep left field.
Conge drove home a run in the bottom of the ninth for Dumaguete.
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 more details, log on to www.baseballphilippines.com.