Dolphins, Sharks begin title clash

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu and Manila clash today at the start of their best-of-three series for Baseball Philippines Series 9 crown at the Rizal Memorial baseball stadium with odds just about even between the league’s fancied teams.

The Dolphins have beaten the Sharks twice in their three meetings this season but the latter have won two of their last three championship faceoffs (Series 6 and 8) in the league organized by Community Sports, Inc.

That makes the title duel doubly interesting with both teams vowing to go all-out in the opener set at 1 p.m.

“Game 1 is important because this is a short series,” said Cebu coach Isaac Bacarisas. “The team who wins Game 1 will most likely win the championship.”

The Sharks have opted to downplay their chances but remained dead-set on nailing another championship.

“This series is really hard to predict,” said Manila mentor Jhoel Palanog.

After topping the elims, the Dolphins, who last won a crown in Series 4, cruised to a 17-9 victory over Alabang to advance to the finals behind Joennard Pareja, Ram Casey Alipio and Miggy Corcuera.

“Winning against Alabang is definitely a big boost for us because we beat a team which boasted of power hitters,” said Bacarisas.

The Sharks gained the needed momentum after beating the second-seeded Dumaguete twice behind hurlers Warren Vispo, Jayson Dimacutac and Tawi Delos Reyes in their own side of the semis.

“Momentum will definitely be on our side and we hope that we can bring that in the championship series,” Palanog said.

Spicing up the finals is an exhibition game between the Alabang Tigers and the Philippine Sakada set at 9 a.m.

The league is sponsored by Gatorade, Emperador Light, Clark Development Corp., Harbour Centre, Philippine Transmarine Corp., Summit Water and Eagle Sky Inc. with backing from Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and the Philippine Umpires Association.

For details, log on to www.baseballphilippines.com and www.facebook.com/baseballphilippines.