Cebu to host Manila in 1st game outside Luzon

source: gmanews

Baseball Philippines will hold a game outside Luzon for the first time when the Cebu Dolphins host two-time defending champion Manila Sharks on Independence Day, June 12, at the Aboitiz Field in Mandaue City.

Baseball Philippines executive director Nolan Bernardino said that Cebu fans can expect high quality action since the game could be a preview of the Series 8 championship series.

The Dolphins and Sharks share the top spot in the league with a 7-1 record and the 1 p.m. game will give the Dolphins the chance to play in front of their hometown fans.

"Based on the standings, we can also see this as a preview of the championship although I'm not yet discounting the other teams like Batangas and Alabang, which can also pull off some surprises," said Bernardino in Tuesday's Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

Players from both teams are also excited to play in Cebu.

"This game in Cebu will not only be good for Cebu and Manila but also for Philippine baseball as well," said Cebu catcher Tino Ubungen, who attended the forum along with his brother Lorenzo and Richard Gamble. "It's an opportunity to show our countrymen what baseball is all about."

"Maglalaro kami sa hometown ng Cebu, mas gusto namin 'yung kami ang may pressure para mapatunayan namin na kaya namin sila," said Manila first baseman Marvin Malig, who was joined by teammates Charlie Labrador, Roy Baclay, Saxon Omandac and assistant team manager Eric Cadavillo in the weekly forum.

Manila is hoping to avenge its 9-7 loss to Cebu early in the tournament, while the Dolphins lost to the Batangas Bulls last month for the tie in the standings.

"Every time Cebu and Manila face each other, it's always a close game," said Cadavillo, who also noted that Manila and Cebu clashed for the Series 6 title won by the Dolphins.

Before the game, a baseball clinic will be conducted in the morning for Cebu kids.

The league will also stage its third out-of-town game in Lipa City on June 11 with the Alabang Tigers facing the Dumaguete Uni-bikers in the 9 a.m. first game at 9 a.m. Host Batangas Bulls will take on the Taguig Patriots in the second game at 1 p.m.

The teams return to the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field for another game on Sunday.

source: gmanews