Sharks down Patriots, gain finals

Manila, Philippines - Two-time defending champion Manila made a return trip to the finals of Baseball Philippines as it subdued Taguig, 2-0, behind another defensive gem in their semifinal matchup in BP Series 8 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium yesterday.

Pitchers Charlie Labrador and Jon Jon Robles yielded a combined five hits but the Sharks’ fielders stranded eight runners to blank the Patriots and book the first finals berth – and their fourth consecutive – in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Rawlings and Gatorade.

Marvin Malig’s RBI singles in the first and eighth innings proved to be enough as pitching and defense did it for the Harbour Centre-backed Sharks in the league backed by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Victory Liner and Clark Development Corp.

“We had a hard time with Taguig’s defense and we haven’t played for almost a month. But we will always depend on pitching and defense and that is what the team showed,” said Manila coach Jhoel Palanog.

Taguig pitcher Justin Payongayong gave up seven hits in a complete game but the Patriots failed to cash in on the other end in the face of the Sharks’ solid defense. The Patriots had five hits and had seven runners in scoring position but failed to draw the much-needed hits.

Jennald Pareja walked, reached second on a Niño Tator groundout and scored when Malig blasted a hit to left center field to start off the game.

Pareja also scored off Malig’s hit in the eighth on a bloop single to left field after the former singled, stole second and reached third on another single by Christian Galedo.

The league is supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and dzSR Sports Radio 918.

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Linescores:

Taguig 000 000 000 0 5 1

Manila 100 000 01x 2 7 3