Baseball Philippines: Manila batters crush Dolphins

MANILA — Jonjon Robles outpitched Joseph Orillana in a duel of lefties as Manila outgunned Cebu, 6-2, Saturday to move within a win of the Baseball Philippines’ Series 8 championship at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.

Robles, who had a stint in the European League with the Czech Republic, struck out six while limiting Cebu to two runs in eight innings with a seven-hitter in the game delayed by a heavy downpour early in the afternoon.

The Sharks backed Robles with an 11-hit attack, 10 of them off Orillana as they opened a 4-1 lead after five innings.

Orillana worked for six and 1/3 innings fanning out five and walking three before Edmer del Socorro relieved him on top of the seventh.

“This is an important game for the series because who ever wins this gains the edge,” said Manila team manager Joehl Palanog. “We hope to sustain our fire and get the win tomorrow for the championship.”

The Sharks, who will gun for the clincher at 1 p.m. today, is bidding for a third straight title, a first in the four-year history of the league.

Charlie Labrador is expected to start for the Sharks. He replaced Robles in the ninth inning yesterday and set down the Dolphins in order.

The Philippine Under-18 team beat reigning UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas, 7-0, in an exhibition game earlier.