BATANGAS CITY, Philippines - Alabang came back from a huge 9-1 deficit by exploding for nine runs in the fifth to stun the fancied Batangas squad, 11-9, in the first-ever out-of-town game of Baseball Philippines held Sunday in front of a festive crowd at the Libjo Field here.
The Tigers scattered all nine hits in that big fifth inning alone with Carlos Laurel leading the charge by hitting a two-out base hit off Romeo Jasmin's pitch that bounced beneath the legs of Bulls shortstop Kevin Ramos to score Inigo Olivares from second for a 10-9 lead.
Laurel, who started the run with a two-run single that brought home Carlos Munoz and Olivares with still no outs, also got some help from older brothers Matt and Jay Laurel and teammates Aries Oruga, Adrian Bernardo and veteran Leslie Suntay.
Matt gave the Tigers a two-run lead in the sixth with a solo home run before the 17-year old Muñoz held the Bulls to just four hits in a five-inning relief to win the game that was stopped after seven innings because of time constraints. -Jonas Terrado
Bullstag derby at WTJ sports
The first bullstag derby in Metro Manila this year kicks off at the WTJ Sports and Amusement Center in Makati City with the staging of the "Luzon Gamecock Breeders Association 5-Bullstag Derby".
The event features more than 100 fights. LGBA stalwarts Biboy Enriquez, Boy Diaz, Dr. Gil Nicolas, Alex Tang, Gerry Escalona, Edwin Jingco, Gerry Ramos, Honey Yu, Boy Tanyag, Raymond Burgos, Boy Marzo, Dax Ganzon, Jun Sevilla, Eddie Araneta, Pros Antonio, Mike and Pete Buendia, Baby Canillas, Celso Evangalista, Mauro Prieto, Aylwyn and Jeffrey Sy are expected to contest for the top plum. Due to the big number of fights, competition will start at 3 p.m.
Meantime, Plaza announced that members who joined the "LGBA Open 5-Stag Derby" last March 22, will get a rebate on entry fee as approved recently by the LGBA board. Up next at WTJ Center is the "ESM 110 K Big Event 6-Cock Derby" on April 28.
Bacolod turns back Ilo Ilo
In an intense battle between regional rivals and tournament favorites, it was Bacolod which emerged triumphant, beating Iloilo, 1-0, to take the pole position in the Visayas Regionals of the PFF Suzuki Under-23 Cup at Cimafranca Field in Dumaguete City.
Bacolod midfielder Jovin Bedic sent a low cross from the right wing that Iloilo keeper Wilson Muñoz was able to corral only to lose possession as the ball spiraled away from behind. Bedic's teammate Jay Baguioro quickly raced in before Muñoz could recover to slam home a shot in the 44th minute of the match.
It was a typical Bacolod-Iloilo match with elbows, nasty tackles, and harsh words thrown around as eight yellow cards were issued on top of one red card.
Run with masters results
Bernardo Desamito and Joan Banayag posted contrasting victories in the Run with the Masters inaugurals which started and ended at the Rizal Park Sunday. Desamito, a former Army serviceman, ran a tactical race before surging past Jojit de Asis in the last 5 kilometers to win the men's event.
He clocked one hour 13 minutes and 50 seconds. Banayag, 2009 Southeast Asian Games marathon gold medalist and 2005-06 National Milo Marathon champion, grabbed the lead as soon as the starting gun was fired and never relinquished it up to the tape.
She timed1:22:41 in the centerpiece event of the 3-in-1 run organized by the newly formed National Masters and Seniors Athletic Association of the Philippines in cooperation with Philippine Sports Commission with the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Serbia wins
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) - Jelena Jankovic and Aleksandra Krunic saved two match points before rallying to win the decisive doubles match to give Serbia a 3-2 victory over Slovakia in the Fed Cup playoff series on Sunday.
Jankovic and Krunic, who teamed up for the first time in the Fed Cup, overcame Daniela Hantuchova and Magdalena Rybarikova 2-6, 7-5, 9-7 on the indoor clay court at Sibamac Arena in a match that lasted 3 hours, 17 minutes.
