Bulls salvage third place
Rances Slides Into Homeplate to Score The First Run Of The Game. (Photo - courtesy of owner)TAGUIG – It was not a Series VI that the Batangas Bulls have wanted with their quest for their second consecutive title quashed by the Cebu Dolphins in the semifinals.
But the Bulls salvaged some pride last July 17 when they settled for third place after beating the Alabang Tigers, 15-8, in the battle-for-third of the Dunkin’ Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI at the Felino Marcelino Memorial Stadium.
Joel San Juan blasted two home runs including a three-run homer that started six-run fourth inning that broke the game wide open.
The Bulls also scored three runs in the first frame on RBI singles by Justin Zialcita and Charles Catangui, and Zialcita scoring on a throwing error off Ericson Eguia.
Former Bull Matt Laurel got the Tigers going as he slammed a two-run home run in the third inning for a 3-2 score.
Tata Empasis Slides Into 2nd. (Photo - courtesy of owner) That home run looked to have awaken the fire of the Tigers for a moment as they even took the lead when JB Castro pushed home Paulo Mallari with a single and Kelly Culubong brought home Castro on a sacrifice fly for a 4-3 lead.
But the Bulls answered with a bang after that home run by San Juan for a 9-4 lead.
Alabang had another offensive onslaught in the sixth inning as the Tigers scored four runs backed by a two-run double by Castro an RBI single by Aris Oruga to slash the deficit, 8-10, at the top of the inning.
But once again the Bulls pulled away as Miggy Zuluaga and Chris Canlas had an RBI single bringing home two of the Bulls’ three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
As if the offensive splurge was not enough, San Juan and Teddy Landicho hit solo home runs each in the eighth inning to widen the gap.
Batangas may not have defended their crown in Series V but look for them to come back in Series VII.