Manila aims to finally nail 1st Baseball Philippines crown

Manila hopes to finally end years of frustrating campaign in the Baseball Philippines when it faces Cebu anew in Game 2 for the Series VI crown on Saturday at the Felino Marcelino Memorial Stadium in Taguig City. Game time is at 1:30 p.m. with the Sharks aiming to etch their name as among the champions in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. Manila played in the finals of the Series II, IV and V but failed to in their bid to win the crown. The Jhoel Palanog-managed Sharks, riding the momentum of their 5-3 Game 1 win, aim to close the short finals series. "We're ahead but we still need to win one more to complete the job," said Palanog. Relief pitcher Jon Jon Robles’ efforts helped the Sharks complete the win blanking the Dolphins after Cebu scored three runs in the first inning. Charlie Labrador will again start for Manila since Robles exceeded the 50-pitch count limit. "We'll go to Charlie. I'll give this game to him and I believe he can bounce back. If he doesn't, we still can field in Mick Natividad or MJ Gante. But I'm confident Charlie will deliver," added Palanog. The Dolphins are hoping to win a third crown and become the tournament’s winningest franchise. Cebu team manager Isaac Bacarisas said his veterans need to step up big time since they entered the finals short handed after Filipino-American recruits Lorenzo and Florentino Ubungen are already out of the team. "They (Ubungen brothers) went back to the US and it affected my rotation. Joseph Orillana is also playing hurt and Edmer Del Socorro can't pitch for this game because I burn him in Game 1," said Bacarisas. "Our batters need to step up for us to win. We have to connect against their pitchers and if we do, we can still win this game," added a confident Bacarisas. A Dolphins win will force a deciding Game 3 on Sunday, August 1, also at the same field after the 9 a.m. exhibition match between Taguig and Pampanga. – JVP, GMANews.TV