By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE defending champion D-9ers kept their perfect record after whipping the Islanders, 16-10, last Tuesday in the Men’s Fast-pitch Softball League at the Miguel “Tan Ge’ Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.
Jerome Delos Santos, Bob Lizama and Mel Sakisat all went 3-for-5 at the plate to lead the D-9ers to a 3-0 slate.
Sakisat had two runs, one inside-the-park homer, three singles and four RBIs, while Delos Sanrosa added three runs, two singles, one double and an RBI. Lizama nailed three runs and three singles.
Jon Tenorio also helped the D-9ers’ cause going 2-for-3 with two runs.
With Delos Santos, Sakisat, Lizama and Ton Camacho joining forces, the defending champions took an 8-1 lead after the first three innings.
But the Islanders threatened in the fourth, as they scored seven runs at the bottom of the fourth against the D-9ers five to move within five, 8-13.
But Paul Camacho and the D-9ers’ defense allowed the Islanders only two runs in the last three innings to secure the win.
Jesse Mesa, who replaced Dennis Ngeskebei on third base in the fourth inning, was perfect for the Islanders going 2-for-2 with two runs, a triple and a single.
The Islanders absorbed their second loss in four games and dropped to third place behind Proa (2-1) and the D-9ers.
In the second game, Che’luus entered the win column after nipping the Falcons, 11-10.
Jeff Cabrera scored the winning run at the bottom of the seventh inning.
Entering the seventh inning, the Falcons failed to break the deadlock, as its first two batters flied out and Isaac Congo was beaten to first base at the top of the last inning.
Che’luus leadoff batter and second baseman Ben Tagabuel flied out.
Derek Flores was next at bat, but was beaten to first base.
Cabrera then stepped upto the plate and hit an inside-the-park homer to end the game in the Che’luus’ favor.
Che’luus improved to a 1-1 slate, while the Falcons dropped to a 1-3 record.
Cabrera went 2-for-3 with two runs, a homer and a triple.