Jon Robles pitched a two-hitter in a no-relief job as the Manila Sharks nipped the Cebu Dolphins, 2-1, to capture their first ever crown in the Dunkin Donuts Baseball Philippines Series VI at the Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City, recently.
Dragged into the sudden death by the Dolphins in their best of three series, the Sharks leaned on Robles and third baseman Nino Tator to finally dispose of the former two-time champions and clinch their breakthrough victory in the league presented by Dunkin Donuts.
Robles, 24, held his ground on the mound, allowing only two hits and one run in a complete game while striking out 10 batters and retiring the last 24 to bag the finals MVP honors.
Tator, on the other hand, delivered the go-ahead run after slamming his third double of the game in the fifth, scoring Christian Galedo, who singled and stole second base, that proved to be enough to give the Mikee Romero-owned franchise the crown.
It was the Sharks’ first championship after two failed bids – in Series II against the Dolphins and in Series V against the Batangas Bulls.
Manila topped the elims with a 4-1 record and gained the No. 1 seed in the semifinals where the Sharks defeated the Alabang Tigers to reach the finals.
