Cebu hosts Baseball PH 8

MANILA—Action in Baseball Philippines Series 8 shifts to Cebu on June 12 when two-time defending titlist Manila Sharks and co-leader Cebu Dolphins square off at the Aboitiz field in Mandaue City.

Baseball Philippines executive director Nolan Bernardino made the announcement at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue in Manila that was attended by members of both teams yesterday.

The game, which comes after a baseball clinic to be conducted by the two teams, marks the first time that BP is staging a match outside Luzon. The league, starting this season, held matches in Lipa and Tanauan City in Batangas.

With the Dolphins and Sharks sharing top spot with 7-1 records, the game has been billed as a preview of the championship.

“Based on the standings, we can also see this as a preview of the championship although I’m not yet discounting the other teams,” said Bernardino.

The Sharks and Dolphins actually battled for the Series 6 title with Manila winning.

“Every time Cebu and Manila face each other, it’s always a close game,” said Manila assistant manager Eric Cadavillo.

“This game will not only be good for Cebu and Manila but also for Philippine baseball,” said Cebu catcher Tino Ubungen, who was also at the forum sponsored by Smart, Accel, Pagcor, Shakey’s and Outlast Battery together with his brother Lorenzo and Richard Gamble.