Servo a vital cog in Uni-bikers title hopes
Veteran has resurrected playing career in Series 3
Bambol Servo of the Dumaguete Uni-bikers carried a .450 batting average into the BPCS where he is penciled in the three hole. (Photo - Joseph Ventura)
A tied game in the ninth inning set up the stage for a 34-year old shortstop to deliver in the clutch as Bambol Servo hit an RBI single to score Andro Cuyugan to extend the Baseball Philippines Championship Series to a pivotal third game following a thrilling 4-3 victory.
The game-winning hit has been one of many highlights of Servo’s stint in Baseball Philippines Series 3, as he finally had his breakout stint after playing minor roles with the Makati Mariners and the Manila Sharks.
"Wala akong ibang inisip talaga kundi i-hit yun,” Servo said a day after stroking the game-winner. "Tapos gumanda pa yung posisyon (3-1 count) kasi naipit yung pitcher (Batangas Bulls' Justin Zialcita) so wala siyang ibibigay kundi strike so pinalo ko."
Servo ranked seventh in the league with a .450 batting average, along with two homers, 10 RBI's, and five doubles to show as he joined Kelly Culubong, Marlon Caspillo, and Francisco Ramos among the team's fiercest hitters.
But Servo admitted that despite the stellar numbers, his work as a Physical Education teacher at De La Salle Canlubang has kept him from regularly participating in team practices.
"Kasi ang pinakaproblema ko yung trabaho ko as teacher, hindi ako gaanong nakakapagpraktis, minsan nagleleave ako sa trabaho” said Servo. "Pero kahit kulang sa praktis, pasalamat naman ako kahit papaano maganda yung performance ko, experience talaga nagdadala sa akin."
Despite that, Servo kept his conditioning in check despite having to deal with student performances, curriculum, and other teacher-related jobs.
"Minsan sa La Salle Canlubang patakbo takbo ako, naglalaro din ako ng soccer kasama ng mga bata tapos kapag nasa bahay naman kukunin ko bat ko tapos magsuswing," mentioned Servo.
The mentioned reason also caused him to leave the Sharks after Series 2, in which he tallied a .226 batting average in a supporting role.
"Although kinukuha din ako ng Manila Sharks noon, sabi ko nahihiya ako gawa ng hindi ako makapunta sa praktis pero naiintindihan naman nila ako," Servo said.
The departure from the Sharks coupled with the move to the Uni-bikers proved to be a blessing in disguise for Servo as it united him with his friends from Laguna such as player-manager Lito Pulgo and coach Culubong, Francisco Ramos and Jeffrey Sinangote, among others.
"Kinuha ako ni Lito, bale mga magkumpare ko yan kaya walang problema," Servo told. "Maganda samahan dito, although noong una magulo pa kami pero habang tumatagal gumanda ang blending ng team."
But once the playoffs got underway, Servo and friends re-ignited themselves, posting upset wins over the Forward Taguig Patriots and the Sharks, before forcing Batangas to a rubber match in BPCS.
The veteran ballplayer, who hails from Sta Rosa, Laguna, started playing ball way back in his childhood as a Grade 3 standout in Pasig. From there, Servo moved on into the University Athletics Association of the Philippines ranks by joining University of Santo Tomas. After graduating, he had stints with the Philippine national team while also participating in the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and Titans League circuits later on.
When Baseball Philippines unfolded in May last year, Servo found his way with the Makati Mariners, joining a group of young players from his alma matter. Despite a limited role and a paltry .188 BA, a Pilot Series crown at the expense of the Negros Roosters was the highlight of his stay with the club.
Servo is looking for a second title and he hopes that the veteran-laiden squad can pull off this BPCS over the younger Batangas Bulls.
"Determined ang team na manalo, coming into fifth position tapos unti-unti kaming nanalo, wala naman kaming extra na galing pero puso at experience ang nagdadala sa amin," he said.