THE MANILA Sharks gained the momentum and the confidence they needed heading to their semifinal matchup with the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers as they defeated the Cebu Dolphins, 3-2, at the close of the elimination round of the Baseball Philippines Series 9 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Jayson Dimacutac and Warren Vispo yielded seven hits but stranded nine runners as the Sharks closed out their elims campaign with a 9-6 (win-loss) slate.
But the Sharks will need two wins to frustrate the Uni-bikers in the playoffs .
Cebu and Dumaguete enjoy twice-to-beat edges in the semifinals by clinching the top two spots in the after the elimination round.
After a lead-off single by Jennald Pareja and a double by Jarus Inobio in the fourth, a sacrifice fly by Paco Tantuico scored Pareja before Inobio advanced home on a catching error.
Cebu’s Lorenzo Ubungen slammed a homer to right field in the sixth off Dimacutac, who allowed only four hits in a six-inning start.
Manila made it 3-1 in the seventh when Emerson Atilano singled to score Francis Gesmundo, who set up that run with a one-out double.
The Dolphins moved to within one when playing coach Isaac Bacarisas belted a two-out single to score Ericson Villame but Vispo regained his form, forcing a flyout to Nico Uichico to close out the game.
In the first game, the Taguig Patriots defeated the Batangas Bulls, 6-3, to end their stint with a 4-11 mark. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio