Sharks, Dolphins start title duel
THREE-TIME defending champion Manila and Cebu begin their Baseball Philippines Series 9 best-of-three championship series today with the Sharks hoping to ride the crest of their winning run that took them to the finals, and the Dolphins counting on their intact lineup.
Neither camp claims an advantage in the title series, though, with Manila decimated by the exodus of national players and Cebu still rebuilding its squad.
The 1 p.m. battle fires off at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium after a friendly game between the Alabang Tigers and the Philippine Sakada at 9 a.m.
“Game 1 is very important because this is a short series,” said Cebu team manager Isaac Bacarisas.
The Dolphins won two of their three games against the Sharks this season as Manila groped for form in the absence of national players Jonjon Robles and Charlie Labrador.
“The momentum is on our side,” said Joehl Palanog, Manila’s manager. “We are hoping to sustain our intensity in the finals.”
The Sharks downed the Dolphins for the Series 6 and Series 8 pennants.
Cebu will bank on batters Joennard Pareja, Ram Casey Alipio and Miggy Corcuera. Hurler Joseph Orillana is a doubtful starter, though, after injuring his left knee three weeks ago.
