Monday, February 04, 2008 Isle of Man gets fifth win via forefeit
THE Carcar Royale conceded its chance to make it to the semifinals and gave Locan a free ride to the next round after forfeiting their final elimination game against Isle of Man at the close of the Seniors A Division elimination round of the Vice Gov. Gregory Sanchez Softball Cup at the Labangon Elementary School grounds yesterday.
Little did the Royale knew, the IOM Sluggers also had very little interest in the game as the result would not affect their place at the top of the standings.
The Sluggers barely had nine players when the game was officially called off, keeping IOM undefeated after five games.
The Royale finished fifth overall with 1-4 win-loss slate, while Locan of Lapu-Lapu City formally took the No.4 spot and will play No.3 Aldritz Pau Liniment in the semifinal round on Feb. 24.
However, the interesting action came from the Seniors B division competition as Grand Royal Spa (GRS) barely survived the tough Masong Bros., 7-6, while Sibonga also scored a 9-8 thriller against Lilo-an. Pusok surprised Pakna-an Mandaue, 8-5, and Wilson of Lagtang-Talisay won by default over the Basak-Pardo Sluggers.
Tied at five runs a piece after six innings, GRS got the boost in the seventh inning after a homer by Dante Tabares sent Nilo Sanchez home for a 7-5 lead.
Mawi Taboada got Masong Bros with in one run, 7-6, with Antonio Babatid at third for the potential equalizer with still three outs to go.
However, GRS stepped up on their defense and took the next three batters out.
Grand Royal retained the solo leadership with 5 wins against a loss record, while the Masong Bros dropped to 1-5.
Sibonga, on the other hand, enjoyed a 7-5 lead at the end of the sixth inning before Liloan tied the game with two runs at the top of the seventh.
However, it only took a run from Antonio Cañizares to give Sibonga its fourth win in six matches to tie Lilo-an.
Meanwhile, Pusok’s third straight win in five games was courtesy of the combined efforts of Marlon Llenes, Henry Ongco, Joel Lopez and Amit who had two runs each as Paknaan suffered its second defeat in six games. (RCM)
