Batangas joins Manila, Cebu in semifinals

MANILA—Batangas booked a ticket to the semifinals with a 7-4 triumph over Dumaguete even as Taguig staved off a late rally by Alabang to preserve a 9-6 win yesterday in the Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the parade grounds of Clark Free Port in Pampanga.

The Bulls, slowly regaining their old form after undergoing a build-up in the past two series, called on closer Romeo Jasmin to shut out the Unibikers in the last four innings while exploding for three runs in the lower sixth to grab the lead for good, 6-4.

Jasmin struck out three batters while allowing just one hit as Batangas swept its weekend series with Dumaguete after scoring an 11-0 win last Saturday.

Batangas joined early semifinalists Manila (8-1) and Cebu (7-2) with its 5-5 slate even as Taguig looked set to clinch the last semis slot at 4-5.

The Patriots erupted for six runs in the fifth inning behind run-scoring hits by Jose Jose, Alfredo Olivarez and Argel Kasullhay and used that as buffer as the Tigers rallied in the ninth to set the final score.

Alabang remained fifth at 2-7 with Dumaguete bringing up the rear at 1-7.