Eguia, seven-run sixth inning derail Uni-bikers in opener

A section of the fairly decent crowd at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium during the opening game of the BPCS. Fans from different walks of life have always been a part of the game. (Photo - Joseph Ventura)

Bulls 10, Uni-bikers 3

MANILA - Vladimir Eguia tossed six hitless innings and his teammates erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning as the Batangas Bulls took the opening game of the Baseball Philippines Championship Series by routing the Dumaguete Uni-bikers, 10-3, on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Dumaguete bore little resemblance of the team that won four straight games entering the contest one day after a stunning victory that ousted the top-ranked Manila Sharks from the postseason.

Nevertheless, the Uni-bikers hung in there, trailing the Bulls 1-0 through the first five innings before their collective weariness in this postseason finally took its toll in the decisive sixth inning.

The left-handed Eguia found himself locked in a pitcher's duel with fellow southpaw Darwin Dela Calzada of the Uni-bikers through the first five innings, the lone run coming on Virgilio Roxas' sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

Unfortunately for Dumaguete, Eguia was at the top of his game, facing only the minimum number of batters through six effective innings. He erased Kelly Culubong with a double play in the second inning then retired the next 12 hitters in a row before being spelled by manager Randy Dizer in the bottom of the seventh with the no-hitter still intact.

Dizer praised his prized hurler afterwards.

"Vladi [Eguia] played superb on the mound. He carried us in this game," said Dizer.

Eguia acknowledged his battery mate, Junnifer Pinero on calling a great game.

"I wasn't expecting to pitch perfectly. I was just [following] my catcher (Junnifer Pinero) in what pitch I’d throw," said Eguia. "Fortunately things worked out well and we won the game."

Dela Calzada meanwhile nearly appeared up to the task, but after hurling a complete game six-hitter the day before, ran out of steam and did not make it out of the sixth frame when his teammates committed two errors and he retired only one of the six batters he faced, ending his personal four-game winning streak as well. He gave up six runs on seven hits and struck out four.

Justin Zialcita went 4-for-4 with a double and along with Roxas drove in two runs apiece to pace the Bulls attack. Pinch-hitter Matt Laurel added a three-run home run that capped the seven-run sixth and blew the game open.

Batangas led 8-0 before Dumaguete finally plated a pair of runs in the seventh on Bambol Servo's RBI-double and Edmer Del Socoro's run-scoring single.

The Bulls would add single runs in the next two frames on Zialcita's run-scoring single and a fielding error by 1B Marlon Caspillo.

Randy De Leon, who lost the no-hit bid in the seventh, and Jay Laurel finished up in relief of Eguia. Laurel struck out Kelly Culubong with a runner on third after Andro Cuyugan had tripled and scored on a passed ball to end the game.

Game two is set for Saturday with a decisive game three if necessary to be played the following day.

BOXSCORE

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