Sharks repulse Cebu Dolphins, seize solo lead

CEBU ,Philippines  – Manila racked up six runs in the last three innings as it rallied from three runs down to stun Cebu, 8-6, in Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Mandaue City last Sunday.

 The Sharks scored two runs each from the seventh to ninth innings to erase a 2-5 deficit in the fifth frame, stunning the Dolphins infront of their home fans in the first-ever out-of-Luzon game of the league organized by Community Sports Inc., and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

 Jon Jon Robles didn’t yield a run and a hit in the final two innings in a big relief job while pushing the go-ahead run home in the eighth as Manila claimed the solo lead with an 8-1 (win-loss) record. 

“The team just stuck with the game plan,” said Manila coach Jhoel Palanog. “We established our defense and pitching first, I knew that the offense will follow.” 

Cebu dropped to 7-2.

The Dolphins’ hosting of the game was made possible by Fastball Sportsventure of Jesse Bernad, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

 Marvin Malig slammed a two-run double in deep left center field for a 6-all count after Landicho reached first on an error and Christian Galedo walking in the eighth inning.

 The Sharks finally regained the lead with Robles hitting an RBI triple to right field, scoring Jarus Inobio. Landicho followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to send Robles home and give the Sharks a two-run cushion.

 Robles, who came in the sixth inning, allowed a run and two hits in the seventh but held back Cebu in the final two innings, retiring the next six batters to preserve Manila’s lead. 

The Sharks had a two-run lead after the first inning on RBI hits by Nino Tator and Francis Candela but Lorenzo Ubungen countered for Cebu with an RBI triple to score Joseph Orillana.

Cebu tied the game when Miggy Corcuera slammed a solo home run off Charlie Labrador to left field in the fourth inning before the Dolphins scored three more runs in the fifth inning that saw a two-run single by Tino Ubungen.