Bulls secure last finals berth
by Jonas Terrado
Bulls 8, Bulls 1
The Batangas Bulls aren't immortal after all, yet their loss to the Cebu Dolphins served as a wakeup call.
After getting hammered the other day that handed them their first-ever defeat in Series 5, the Bulls awoke from a lethargic performance by pummeling the Dolphins, 8-1, to arrange a best-of-three title duel with the Manila Sharks.
Pitcher Romeo Jasmin starred thanks to his superb performance on the mound while getting help from shortstop Jojo Apura as Batangas avoided an embarrassing loss to the underdog Cebu batters.
"We had a bull session after our loss and this time, we came out with a better performance and played as a team," said Batangas team manager Randy Dizer.
Batangas and Manila, the top two teams after the classification round, begin their championship series on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium with the former looking to become the second team in league history to win two championships.
The Sharks, otherwise, are looking for their first-ever title on the franchise's second finals appearance after losing to Cebu in Series 2 in December of 2007.
"Although we had the advantage against them, I told think we can discredit Manila's heart and determination to win. It will come down as to which team wants it more," Dizer said on the upcoming series.
Jasmin was nothing but impressive as he allowed just four hits in eight innings and struck out four Cebu batters in a performance that once again proved why he was a key offseason acquisition by Batangas from the Muntinlupa Mariners (now Alabang Tigers).
The right-hander, who usually makes a submarine throw, flirted on a no-hitter for seven innings until he gave up a Miggy Corcuera hit.
In the next inning, he survived a base-loaded jam by forcing Edzel Atienza to hit a two-out pop-up to Apura for the last out of the said frame.
"He really pitched well for us today as he did during our recent games," Dizer said of Jasmin, who was named as the Best Pitcher of the UAAP for champion Adamson last February.
Jasmin also had his own contribution on offense and he hit an RBI single that drove in Apura for the game's first run in the first inning. It was one of two RBIs he made off four hits in five at-bats.
Catcher Jose Jose put the Bulls up 3-0 in the third when he hit a two-run double to left field that scored Vladimir Eguia and Randy de Leon.
From there, the 21-year old Apura, a native of Tanauan City, stretched Batangas' lead to 5-0 after drilling an RBI double to right field. It was one of three doubles that made his four-hit afternoon a more memorable one.
Batangas peppered the Dolphins' pitching with 16 hits, nine more than their previous game.
Cebu starter Sebastian Uichico was saddled with the loss as he gave up three runs in the first two innings before team manager Saki Bacarisas pulled him out.
The two-time champions finished their Series 5 campaign with a record of 7-6. After a 3-1 start, the Dolphins struggled in their succeeding games as they were affected by the absence of national team members Joseph Orillana, Fongs Rances and Jonash Ponce due to their indefinite suspension.