(SSA) – Two costly errors by the defending champions D-9er’s in the bottom of the seventh and the best-of-three play-off series is on its way to the third and final game, and the pennant champions NMC Proa took game one in their best-of-three match-up with runner-up Team Mauleg with an easy, 7-0, forfeiture win.
Team Verizon, three outs away from the brink of elimination send up just five batters in their last at-bat to post a come-from-behind, 9-8, victory. Abuse hit, an error, another base hit followed by another error tie the ballgame up at, 8-all. Donald Pangelinan’s infield hit then end it for Verizon plating John Manibusan for the win. The D-9er’s led 8-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Ray Seman led the D-9er’s change driving in three runs and Pepi Tenorio scored three times and the D-9er’s looked like they are on their way to the championship. But, Team Verizon weren’t about to be swept as the bottom portion of the line-up stepped up for the remarkable comeback. The D-er’s led 6-4 after four innings of play and went on to outscore Verizon 2-1 in the next 2 1/2 innings to take a three-runs lead. Paul Camacho led Verizon going 3 for 4 with two RBIs and Kaleb Dulei went the distance for the win. Both teams will face each other one last time this coming Wednesday in the first game with the winner advancing to the championship.
