Manila Sharks sweep Baseball Philippines Series 8 finals

MANILA—Under threat of rains and imminent postponement, the Manila Sharks erupted for five runs in the seventh inning to overcome the Cebu Dolphins, 10-4, Sunday and sweep the Baseball Philippines Series 8 championship at the Rizal ball park.

Leading 4-3 after four innings, the Sharks broke the game wide open with their five-run binge and became the first team to win three straight titles.

Organizers, who were in a dilemma whether to call off the game after seven innings as dark rain clouds hovered above, decided to finish the game with the Sharks already in complete control with a 9-3 lead.

Manila picked up another run in the eighth while Cebu scored once in the ninth to finalize scoring for the game that ended under lights.

The Sharks, backed by Harbour Centre, won, 6-2, in Game 1 of the best-of-three title series Saturday and finished the tournament with only one loss, which came in the elimination round courtesy of the Dolphins.

Earlier, Vio Roxas drove home Chris Canlas with the winning run in the 10th inning as Batangas claimed the third-place trophy over Taguig with a 3-2 decision.

Jonjon Robles, who starred in Game 1’s 6-2 win last Saturday, slammed a sacrifice fly with bases loaded on the top of the fourth for the pivotal run, 4-3.

Saxon Omandac was adjudged Most Valuable Player of the title series but Cebu’s slugger Miggy Corcuera amassed three special awards—Series 8 MVP, most RBI (11) and most home runs (3). His teammate Jonash Ponce was cited for most number of stolen bases while Taguig’s Denver Largo emerged the best hitter.

Manila’s Joseph Orillana was named best pitcher, Ricky Bernabe best umpire and Manila’s Joehl Palanog best team manager.

Linescores:
TAGUIG—101 000 000 0—2 5 6
BATANGAS—011 000 000 1—3 8 1

MANILA—021 100 510 10—15 4
CEBU—003 000 001—4 8 3