Twice-to-beat edge for Cebu, Dumaguete

THE CEBU Dolphins and the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers are headed to the semifinals armed with the twice-to-beat advantage after they finished off their respective opponents in the Baseball Philippines Series 9 at the Parade Grounds of Clark Freeport Zone in  Pampanga.

The Dolphins blasted the Taguig Patriots, 14-4, in seven innings while the Uni-bikers downed the Batangas Bulls, 11-5, to put a lock on the top two spots.

Cebu clinched the No. 1 spot with an 11-3 (win-loss) card while Dumaguete improved to 10-4, two full games ahead of third running Manila (8-6) heading to the final elimination round games this Sunday.

Miggy Corcuera blasted a two-run homer in the fourth after the Dolphins scored five runs off Justin Payongayong in the second frame to set the tone for the rout. Cebu added seven more runs in the seventh inning to end the game early.

In the other game, Alabang defeated Manila, 7-3, as the Tigers scored five runs in the eighth off Sharks hurler Warren Vispo on three hits and two errors.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio