GAMEDAY RECAP

Sharks Edge Dolphins Behind Labrador's Gem

Sharks 4, Dolphins 2

MANILA - There would be no unbeaten run of sorts this season as the Manila Sharks handed the Cebu Dolphins their first loss of Series 2, 4-2 behind a sterling performance from ace right hander Charlie Labrador.

Manila, which broke into the win column last weekend, now appears to be living up to its preseason expectations.

Labrador scattered just five hits, coughed up two runs — one earned — struck out seven and walked none for his first complete game since losing to the Negros Roosters in last summer's Series 1 playoffs. It was a gallant effort considering the Sharks defense committed four errors behind him while the Dolphins played flawlessly on the field.

Cebu took a quick 1-0 lead when Fulgencio Rances opened the game with a single and came around to score two outs later on Miggy Corcuera's run-scoring single.

Manila responded with three big runs in its first at bat when eight men went to the plate against right hander Seung Jun Ha of Korea. Joey Guerrero led off with a single and scored on Christian Galledo's double. With two outs, Rommel Roja advanced Galledo to third with a single. Marvin Malig, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, and Bacchus Ledesma, who was starting for the first time this season, followed with back-to-back rbi singles to make it 3-0.

Cebu cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth when Emerson Atilano reached on first baseman Virgilio Roxas' error and one out later scored on Rances' run scoring single.

But Labrador would not be fazed with the iron gloves on the field behind him as he continued to stifle the potent Dolphins offense which leads the circuit in runs scored and a plus-20 run differential.

"Maganda galaw ng [cut]-fastball at nalalagay ko ang downball. Natupad ang balak kong gawin ngayong araw (My cutter had good movement and I was hitting my spots with the sinker. I was able to carry out my game plan today)," said Labrador.

Labrador, who was victimized in the fifth inning for the third game in a row, proved his resiliency this time as he responded by retiring the next 10 Dolphins hitters before Jonash Ponce reached base on an error and stole second in the eighth to set up a classic confrontation with the dangerous Corceura.

With the count full, Labrador caught Corcera looking at an inside cutter for a called third strike, leaving Ponce at second to end the eighth. Labrador likewise fanned Jordan Orobia with runners at second and third to end the game.

"We had our opportunities, but unfortunately we were not able to take advantage of them," said Dolphins left fielder Jon De Ubago who went 1-for-3 with a strikeout against Labrador. "But they [Manila] weren't bringing it either. A bloop here and a flare there. Nothing we could do about it so give them credit," he added.

Seung Jun settled down after the shaky first inning and matched zeros with Labrador over the next three frames. He surrendered six hits, walked two and struck out a pair before giving way to Dolphins ace Joseph Orillana in the fifth and the Dolphins trailing 3-2.

Manila made it 4-2 when Roja doubled to open the sixth, advanced to third on Rances' passed ball, and scored on Malig's rbi-groundout.

 

 

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BP COVERAGE - WEEK 4

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