Dumaguete IX rips Manila for final slot

07/20/2008

Dumaguete drew strength from Darwin dela Calzada’s superb pitching as it shocked Manila for the second straight time with a pulsating 3-2 victory yesterday to forge an improbable title showdown with Batangas in Baseball Philippines’ Series at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Dela Calzada, 26, yielded six hits but came through with the biggest strikeout atop the ninth inning as the Unibikers completed its amazing run from the backdoor to the best-of-three finale against the Bulls at 10:30 a.m. today.

“I’ve done this before, I’m glad I did it again,” said Dela Calzada, a native of San Roque, Marikina, in Filipino.

The 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games’ best hurler and former three-time UAAP MVP nearly hurled a shutout game but gave three hits in the final frame that enabled the Sharks to break a scoring slump with a pair of runs.

Dela Calzada, who powered University of the Philippines to three UAAP titles in the late 1990s, recovered his bearings though and fanned out catcher Rommel Roja for the final out that sealed it.

Dela Calzada raised his fist in jubilation and was rushed and mugged by his ecstatic teammates at the mound in celebration of the victory that just sealed the win for the Felipe Antonio Remollo-owned club that started the tournament with three losses in row and ended it with six overall.

“We never expected it, we’re just happy to be in the finals,” said playing manager 36-year-old Lito Pulgo.

Harbour Centre, IEI, PTC, The Heritage Park, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, San Mig Coffee, Welcoat Paints and Mizuno are backing this tournament organized by Community Sports, Inc. with Sports Radio 918 as its media partner.

The Harbour Centre-backed Manila, which lost its first semis game, 10-14, will go home knowing they failed to cash in on its twice-to-beat advantage, a privilege given it after topping elimination round with a 10-1 (win-loss) slate.

Catcher Edmer del Socorro belted a single to right field that scored centerfielder Andro Cuyugan in the bottom first that gave the Unibikers an early 1-0 lead.

Then came first baseman Kiko Ramos, who, in full count, blasted a Charlie Labrador fastball straight over the right field fence near the Rizal Memorial Coliseum for a two-run homer that turned out the game winner.

“I just knew I’m going to hit so I hit it,” said the 41-year-old, tall, hefty Ramos.

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006