Dolphins, Sharks down rivals, stay at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Ams Lorenzo Ubungen and Richard Gamble made their presence felt in their pitching debut for Cebu as the Dolphins repulsed the Taguig Patriots, 3-2, yesterday to remain on top in Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Ubungen, who plays for San Francisco State in the US, yielded two hits in a three-inning start while Gamble, who is in the City College of San Francisco roster, turned in three scoreless innings in relief while allowing two hits in a fine start in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

Ubungen, who also worked the third base, and Gamble, whose grandmother is a Filipina, are on a school break, enabling them to see action for the Dolphins, who notched their sixth victory in seven games.

Two-time defending champion Manila matched Cebu’s 6-1 card as it defeated Dumaguete, 6-2, in the second game.

Taguig actually surprised Cebu with two runs in the second as Pepe Jose and Wilfredo Hidalgo scored.

But the Dolphins struck back in the bottom fourth as Ubungen doubled and scored on a double by Ram Alipio, who delivered the tying run after Lorenzo’s brother Tino Ubungen likewise doubled.

Joennard Pareja scored the go-ahead run for Cebu with a single off Taguig hurler Irvin Tuazon to send Tino Ubungen home.

The marginal run proved to be enough for the Dolphins as Gamble, along with national mainstay Joseph Orillana, kept the Taguig batters in check.

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.

Details: www.baseballphilippines.com.