Baseball Philippines: Batangas, Cebu join Manila in semis

Defending champion Batangas and Cebu posted contrasting victories over separate rivals to clinch the Final Four seat in the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI on Saturday at the newly-constructed Felino Marcelino Baseball Field in Taguig City. Justin Zialcita became the first player to score a homerun in the new field but the Bulls still leaned on the bat of veteran Virgilio Roxas to complete a 12-9 win over Alabang.

Jonash Ponce also homered for Cebu to highlight the Dolphins’ 12-4 lopsided win over rookie club Pampanga Sand Kings in the other game. Batangas and Cebu’s win allowed them to join the Manila Sharks in the semifinal round with similar 3-1 records. Manila, which battles Taguig in Sunday’s 9 a.m. first games, is already assured of the first twice-to-beat incentive after defeating Batangas and Cebu. A loss by the Sharks will create a two-way tie for second spot with the loser of the Batangas-Cebu match. Zialcita’s three-run homer – with Teddy Landicho and Jose Miguel San Juan getting consecutive base hits – gave the Bulls a 3-1 lead in the first inning. The lead ballooned to 6-3 after four. The Tigers, behind Matt Laurel, tried to mount a comeback only to be denied by former home run king Roxas in the end game. Matt Laurel had a two-run double while Kevin Cruz and Anton Bernardo each had RBI singles to spark the Tigers’ three-hit, five-run fifth inning as Alabang enjoyed an 8-6 lead. Roxas responded with a pair of two-run singles in the sixth and eight where the defending champions scored three runs apiece to secure the win. "They tought this will be an easy game after we started with a three-run homerun. But there is no easy game in this league," said Bulls team manager Randy Dizer. – JVP, GMANews.TV