Dolphins, Sharks brace for showdown

Manila, Philippines - Co-leaders Cebu and Manila face separate rivals in morning matches before clashing in the afternoon game of another explosive doubleheader at resumption of Baseball Philippines Series 9 today at the Parade Grounds in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

The Dolphins battle the Batangas Bulls and the Sharks go up against the Dumaguete Uni-bikers at 9 a.m., both looking for their seventh win against two losses and a continued share of the lead.

They expect to break that tie, however, as they square off in the featured match at 1 p.m. in a duel of BP Series 8 finalists in the Community Sports Inc.-organized league.

In other matches, the Alabang Tigers and Taguig Patriots collide in back-to-back games while the Uni-bikers mix it up with the Bulls in the other 1 p.m. game lined up by the league sponsored by Gatorade, Emperador Light, Clark Development Corp., Harbour Centre, Philippine Transmarine Corp., Summit Water and Eagle Sky Inc.

Cebu swept its last week’s assignments in contrasting fashion, surviving a scare from Alabang, 7-6, in 14 innings before blasting Taguig, 11-4, to remain on top of the heap.

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The three-time defending champion Sharks, on the other hand, tripped Dumaguete in dramatic fashion as Warren Vispo came through with a two-run homer in the eighth inning to steer the Sharks to a 10-8 victory over the Uni-bikers for their fifth straight victory.

Though Cebu yielded the Series 8 crown to Manila, the Dolphins have the psychological edge against Sharks in today’s outing after a 12-7 victory last April 1. But they face an equally tough rival in the Bulls, who are out to break out of the slump with a 2-6 record.

The other backers of the league are the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and the Philippine Umpires Association.