Dolphins, Uni-bikers prime up for semis

MANILA, Philippines - Baseball action returns to Rizal Memorial stadium today with three matches, including the Cebu-Manila duel, closing out the elimination round in Baseball Philippines Series 9.

After seven weeks of play at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, the Community Sports Inc.-organized league goes back to its old home for the rest of the season with a promise of slam-bang action among the top four teams gearing up for the semifinal round.

The top-seeded Cebu and No. 2 Dumaguete, assured of twice-to-beat edges in the semifinals, hope to get into the next round on a winning note as they battle the Sharks at 10:30 a.m. and the Alabang Tigers at 1:30 p.m., respectively.

Meanwhile, cellar dwellers Batangas and Taguig clash in the 7:30 a.m. opener of the league sponsored by Gatorade, Emperador Light, Clark Development Corp., Harbour Centre, Philippine Transmarine Corp., Summit Water and Eagle Sky Inc.

The Dolphins clinched the No. 1 spot with a 7-6 win over the Uni-bikers and a 14-4 romp over the Patriots last week for a 11-3 record.

Despite their loss, the Uni-bikers secured the second spot with an 11-5 victory over the Bulls for a 10-4 slate.

Manila settled for the No. 3 spot with an 8-6 card and will face the Uni-bikers in the semifinals.

Alabang stunned Manila, 7-3, last week for a 7-7 mark in the league backed by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and the Philippine Umpires Association.