By Jonathan V. Perez
Variety News Staff

MCGREGORY Camacho had a solid performance on the mound to lead the Tanapag Braves to a nail-biting 6-5 win over the Hustlers in Game 2 of their best-of-three playoff series in the 8th Annual Fall League last Wednesday at the Francisco M. Palacios Ballfield.
The Braves’ win forced a deciding third game for a slot in the best-of-five championship series. Game three will be played today at 6:30 p.m.
Camacho pitched in no relief allowing the Hustlers three earned runs on eight hits with one strikeout and one walk.
After retiring Lyle Celis and Vinnie Sablan in consecutive put-out plays, Camacho gave up a fielder’s choice to Ed Manibusan and walked Martin Pangelinan as the Hustlers threatened in the ninth.
The Braves were holding a 6-3 lead before that play.
A. J. Allen’s two-RBI double let Manibusan and Pangelinan score as the Hustlers came within one.
Philip Manalo represented the tying run for the Hustlers but had an infield fly, which was caught by Camacho to end the game.
While Camacho took care of things for the Braves on the mound, B. J. Sablan led Tanapag’s offense going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Sato Manalo went 1-for-4 with a double, one run and an RBI. His RBI double in the fourth inning let Nunu Kapileo reach home plate to tie the game at 2-2.
The Braves also used a four-run ninth inning to silence the Hustlers.
Trailing 3-2 after eight complete innings, the Braves started their comeback in the top of the ninth when Hustlers pitcher Bobby Castro let the Tanapag crew score on four straight walks.
Castro walked Jon Tenorio, Kapileo and designated hitter Pangelinan to load the bases. Tenorio scored when Castro gave up a walk to Pat Blas.
Kapileo reached home on a throwing error by Jerome Delos Santos while Pangelinan added one more on an error by Hustlers catcher Pat Alepuyo.
Allen went 3-for-5 with one run, a double and two RBIs while Alepuyo went 2-for-4 with a double to lead the Hustlers.
Castro, who closed out for the pennant champion Hustlers, earned the loss giving up one unearned run with one strikeout and three walks.
A. J. Dela Cruz started for the Hustlers and lasted for 8.1 innings. He allowed Tanapag two earned runs on three hits, fanning three and giving up five walks.
The Hustlers won Game 1 last Monday scoring a 12-2 rout of the Braves.
Allen went 2-for-3 with three runs, a triple and two RBIs while Dane Lizama went 2-for-4 with one run, a double and three RBIs.
On Tuesday, the defending champion and fourth ranked Pirates pulled off a 12-6 triumph over the second seeded Manhoben Young Guns.
Jon Salas and Steve Cruz led the Pirates’ offense combining for a 3-for-6 performance at the plate with two runs and six RBIs.
The Pirates can close out their series if they win against the Young Guns in yesterday’s Game 2, which was still being played at press time.