MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from their third straight title conquest, the Manila Sharks vowed to extend their reign in Baseball Philippines series as they go for a four-peat in BP Series 9.
Harbour Centre Manila Sharks general manager Rich Cruz said the hunger factor is still there for the team to go all out for another milestone, which is claiming their fourth consecutive title in the country’s major baseball league.
“We definitely want to win again,” said Cruz in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue. “Many are asking if we are still hungry for another title but the challenge will still be there.”
The Sharks swept the Series 8 best-of-three title showdown after a 10-4 victory over the Cebu Dolphins in Game 2 last Sunday to annex a record third straight crown.
For his part, Manila head coach Jhoel Palanog said they will definitely build a strong line-up for next series.
Labrador came in relief in the third inning to dampen the Dolphins' rally from a 3-0 run deficit and Jonjon Robles, who led Manila to a 6-2 Game 1 win, hit the go-ahead run in the fourth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to power the Sharks to another championship.
The Harbour Centre-backed Big City batters completed a sweep of the best-of-three series and overtake the Dolphins and the Batangas Bulls for the most number of championships.
Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero, who was in Thailand, immediately sent a text message, congratulating the team, especially team managers Richard Cruz and Edwin Galvez.
“To the Manila Sharks, congratulation for your record-breaking feat. You have really raised the level of baseball in the country,” said Romero.
"This is the result of sacrifice," said coach Jhoel Palanog. "From day one, in-assume na namin na papasok kami sa finals and siguro yung puso at commitment ng mga players hindi bumigay kahit may struggle sa practice at may iba pang problema."
Manila thus tied the Batangas for the best single tournament record of 13-1.
The Sharks dominated the elimination round with a 9-1 record, survived the feisty Taguig Patriots in the semifinals before sweeping aside the formidable Dolphins in the championship series.
Not only did the Sharks boast of Labrador and Robles, two of the best pitching tandems in the league, but also an offense led by Saxon Omandac, the Finals MVP, Christian Galedo, Marvin Malig, Junnifer Pinero, Francis Candela, Jennald Pareja and Nino Tator.
Omandac, the Sharks scrappy centerfielder, bagged the best player of the series award after batting .556 or five hits in nine at-bats with one RBI he made in Game 1 that put his squad on the board.
Meanwhile, Cebu’s Miggy Corcuera completed his impressive Series 8 performance by winning the MVP title in the league also backed by Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Victory L
No comments:
Post a Comment