Dolphins maul Uni-Bikers
by Jonas Terrado
Dolphins 17, Uni-Bikers 7
The rematch of the Series 4 finals turned into an epic mismatch as the Cebu Dolphins outwit the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers behind a championship-caliber rout.
Cebu stormed to a quick seven-run first inning and held off a late comeback attempt by the Uni-Bikers for an abbreviated, 17-7, win after eight innings.
In that opening burst, centerfielder Jonash Ponce showed why he was one of the top hitters in Series 4 when he drilled a three-run homer off loser Saxon Omandac that gave the Dolphins an early 3-0 lead.
It was also a breakthrough four-bagger for the Zamboanga native, as Ponce connected his first-ever blast in the two-year old league. He finished with two hits in four at-bats.
Cebu was enjoyed an 11-2 lead in the bottom half of the eighth when Dumaguete, a team known for its come-from-behind victories, threatened with a four-run binge to cut the lead to four, 11-7.
However, it was short-lived as the Dolphins respond as Nico Uichico and Bacchus Ledesma made a pair of run-scoring hits before the latter finished off the game by scoring from third base on a passed ball by catcher Edmer del Socorro.
The win kept Cebu unbeaten in opening day matches, the only squad that has made such feat since the league was launched in 2007.
Cebu starter Joseph Orillana turned his outing into a workout, as he retired the game’s first six batters before shifting to left field entering the third frame because of the big lead.
But soon, the 28-year old southpaw returned late in that five-run eighth and gave up three of those, including two off a hit by veteran Kiko Ramos.
Omandac was quickly sent to the dugout by team manager Lito Pulgo after tossing 40 pitches to earn the loss. 2008 Jun Bernardino MVP Darwin dela Calzada pitched for five innings in relief and fanned three batters.
The Uni-Bikers, which played without Bambol Servo and Kelly Culubong, struggled all throughout the three-hour affair as they made 10 errors in the contest.
Cebu eyes for another win against the winless Forward Taguig Patriots while Dumaguete clash with unbeaten Batangas Bulls in their succeeding games.
Both teams will meet one more time on May 30 when they wrapped up their classification round campaign.