Batangas Bulls Crowned Series III Champs

Uni-bikers 3, Bulls 7

The sun finally showed up and a champion in Baseball Philippines Series 3 was crowned. 

Following two weeks of suspension because of bad weather and poor field conditions, the Batangas Bulls sealed its date with destiny.

 The Bulls leaned on their strong defense, a relief effort by Ruel Batuto, and some late offensive spree to finally nail the crown, beating the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers, 7-3, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

 Protecting a 4-2 lead when play resumed in the fourth inning, Batangas shut down the Uni-Bikers’ offense as Batuto made an effortless seven-inning appearance while Carlo Banzon made a splendid catch that prevented a tying run.

 On offense, Jojo Apura stepped up like he did two weeks earlier, hitting a two-run triple in the lower half of the eighth before he eventually scored on a base hit by Junifer Pinero that settled the Bulls’ 2-1 series victory against the underdog Uni-Bikers.

 “It worked, it really worked,” said Batangas head coach Randy Dizer regarding their defense in the game. “It’s really defense, because we all know na tatama at tatama yan with the same pitchers every game but the most important thing is that which team will play great defense, and it helped us win the championship.”

 Bulls’ top hitter Virgilio Roxas grabbed the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honors. The national team member from Lipa, hit .507 in Series 3 and led the league with five home runs and 17 RBI’s in the elimination round.

 With ace pitcher and Game 1 hero Vladimir Eguia out after he was removed in the second inning last July 26 because of an injured left arm, it was Batuto who made an unexpected show on the mound.

The 29-year old Batuto, a member of the RP national team, gave up just three hits and struck out two batters as the Dumaguete offense struggled against the former University of Mindanao mainstay.

 "He was a surprise, yung two weeks na walang game nakatulong sa kanya," Dizer said of Batuto. "I was supposed to use him for at least four or five innings but he was able to finish the game for us."

"Ang laking tulong yung two weeks sa akin," Batuto said. "Talagang hinanda ko sarili ko, kahit umuulan nagpeprepare pa rin ako."

 Apura, a current UP varsity player and a native of Tanauan City, went 2-for-3 with four RBI’s and a two-run homer in the second inning off Darwin dela Calzada. He drilled a no-ball, one-strike pitch from Dumaguete starter Darwin dela Calzada to tie the game in the second frame two weeks ago.

 “Curveball ang binato sa akin ni Dar(win dela Calzada), eh talagang paborito ko yung pitch na yun kaya pinalo ko na,” said Apura.

 A crucial play occurred in the lower half of the eighth when Uni-Bikers third baseman Denver Largo failed to make an easy tag on a stealing Banzon with two outs after Justin Zialcita got a free pass. That play gave Apura another shot at dela Calzada and he did, blasting a hit to right field that pulled home Banzon and Zialcita that made it a three-run cushion.

 “Sobrang ganda nung fastball na binato sa akin ni Darwin kaya hindi ko na pinalagpas yun,” he added.

While Lito Pulgo and his Uni-Bikers argued on Banzon’s steal, he agreed that the play cost them the match.

 "Judgment call iyon ng umpire pero ang disappointing doon ay nakascore pa sila after nun, yun ang nagpanalo sa kanila," said Dumaguete coach Lito Pulgo.

 Prior to the suspension, the Uni-Bikers took the early lead in the upper hand after a two-run second as Kelly Culubong hit a one-out RBI single that pushed home second base runner Edmer del Socorro. Culubong then reached third on a hit by Christian de Leon before scoring on a throwing error by Bulls catcher Pinero after de Leon stole at second.

But after tying the game, Batangas grabbed the lead in the third as Roxas scored all the way from second when Uni-Bikers’ shortstop Bambol Servo bobbled a two-out ground ball by Zialcita.

After reaching third on a hit by Apura, Zialcita was able to score easily after the latter was caught in a run down at first base to end the inning.

 But monsoon rains caused by Typhoon Igme came down heavily, causing a suspension on the game. Last week was supposed to be the resumption of the do-or-die match but poor field conditions resulting in rains days prior led to another rescheduling.

When play resumed, Dumaguete easily pulled within a run after Culubong reached home on a double steal in the fourth frame but the Bulls left two runners on base after Batuto fanned Marlon Caspillo to end the side.

BOXSCORE

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