Tigers complete comeback win

THE ALABANG Tigers claimed another win in come-from-behind fashion as they downed the Dumaguete Unibikers, 10-6, to seize the solo lead in the standings in the Baseball Philippines Series 9 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Carlos Laurel did a fantastic job in his relief duty as he gave up just three hits in six innings of work for the Tigers, who complemented their defense with seven runs in three innings that turned the tide for them en route to the victory.

It was a big follow-up to Alabang’s come-from-behind 13-12 win over Batangas last Saturday, where the Tigers fought back from eight runs down to frustrate the Bulls.

An RBI double by Jay Laurel brought in two runners for Alabang in the bottom of the third before the Tigers closed to within one run on Mark Anthony Kakisako and Carlos Laurel, who scored on a fielding error by the Uni-bikers in the fifth.

An errant throw by Dumaguete second baseman Jezreel Rosita in an attempt to put Kakisako out at first base sent Jay Laurel home to tie the game. Andro Cuyugan gave Alabang the lead when he advanced to home plate on a double steal. Laurel then came in for starting pitcher Laurence Ruiz to preserve Alabang’s lead, allowing just a run before the Tigers scored again when Carlos Muñoz slammed a two-run double in the seventh frame.

In the other game, the Bulls bounced back from that sorry loss to the Tigers by defeating the Taguig Patriots, 9-3, to tie the Uni-Bikers, the Manila Sharks and the Cebu Dolphins at 1-1. Taguig dropped to 0-2. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio