Cebu now 3-0 after sinking Taguig
by Jonas Terrado
Dolphins 8, Patriots 4
Cebu continued its dominance while Forward Taguig sank further down the cellar.
Behind six unanswered runs in the first six innings before enduring a lethargic closing act, the Dolphins defeated the Patriots, 8-4, that kept them unbeaten through three games.
Taking advantage of nine hits and four errors made by the Patriots, Cebu raced to the early lead as Jerome Bacarisas made two RBIs each in the first and third innings with Joseph Orillana contributing on both sides of the field.
Bacarisas sent home leadoff man Fongs Rances in the first inning then hit a sacrifice fly to score Edsel Atienza from third.
On the other hand, Orillana allowed just two hits in another short four-inning work before drilling his first career homer when he smashed a two-run shot off Ronald Bocalan in the seventh frame
That lead enabled the Dolphins to grab an 8-1 advantage.
But Cebu whisked four errors in the last two innings while reliever Jeffrey Ardio struggled in three innings of work, giving up four runs off hits before he was replaced by Christian Maghanoy.
With Taguig's semifinals berth in Series 4 now a distant memory, they dropped its fourth outing in as many games to join the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers as the two remaining ballclubs that has yet to win a single game.
Losing pitcher Fernando Badrina had a forgetful showing as he allowed six runs off seven hits in five innings.
Through three games, the Dolphins have outscored their opponents 34-13 despite Orillana pitching four innings per game as team manager because of the new 75-pitch count limit enforced by the league this tournament.
The teal-clad batters will be in for a tough task starting next Saturday against the third-placer Manila Sharks while the Patriots battle the undefeated Batangas Bulls.