Marlon Caspillo blasted a two-run home run in a six-run fourth inning and the Dumaguete Unibikers clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the division playoffs by routing Forward Taguig, 13-6, in the Baseball Philippines Series Two yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

The Unibikers finished the eliminations with a 4-6 mark and earned the incentive against Taguig (2-8) in the division playoffs slated Saturday and, if necessary, Sunday.  The winner will face the Cebu Dolphins, who topped the South Division with a 7-3 mark, in the division championship.

After Meljon Aranzanso singled, stole second and reached third on a catching error by Taguig centerfielder Oman Samiano. Caspillo emphatically sent the 2-1 pitch off loser Michael Roy Solis into the leftfield seats that gave the Unibikers a comfortable 8-3 lead in the fourth inning.

The Unibikers sealed the win with five more runs in the sixth.

“Sa nilaro namin, may laban kami sa playoff,” said Dumaguete playing manager Lito Pulgo, who performed well at the plate with a two-of-four outing, scored two runs and drove in two against Taguig.

Dumaguete trailed, 2-3, after Taguig’s Erwin Cruz had a three-run double in the third broke Taguig’s scoreless game.

Taguig, which sorely missed national hurler Ernesto Binarao because of the ongoing Asian Championships, gave up 13 hits, four off Solis.

In the first game, a five-run seventh inning gave Cebu a convincing 16-8 win over Marikina. Marikina (5-5) was already assured of the twice-to-beat incentive against Makati (4-6) in the division playoffs. The winner will meet Manila in the division championship. Manila topped the North Division with an 8-2 record.

Status Affirmed

The country’s only superstar boxer from General Santos City has the glam and the gold.

But the other rising fighter from GenSan has the goods.

Victory step back in the right direction for Boom-Boom

Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista showed composure and maturity in and out of the ring as he successfully defended his regional crown by decisioning Antonio “Barrio” Meza of Mexico yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

For three quarters, the Air21 Express played as cold as the chilly December breeze but warmed up just in time to pull off an 88-80 victory over the shorthanded Welcoat Dragons last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) intends to amend its constitution to conform with that of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

New rules, seasoned hosts to hamper RP tennis campaign

Call it an uphill climb.

That’s how Cecil Mamiit describes the Filipinos’ bid in the Southeast Asian Games, with rules changes and host Thailand coming off successful campaigns abroad proving to be key factors in the Philippine campaign.

Fil-Am golf returns to action today

AT least 350 players from different teams are competing in the Am division Flights B, C and D as action resumes today in the Fil-Am Golf Championships at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club courses in Baguio City.

Unibikers get bonus

Marlon Caspillo blasted a two-run home run in a six-run fourth inning and the Dumaguete Unibikers clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the division playoffs by routing Forward Taguig, 13-6, in the Baseball Philippines Series Two yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

Bleachers’ Brew: A Red Card for Football

I’m all for unification and transparency,” said Mari Martinez in the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Forum last week, where he was formally introduced as the heir to Johnny Romualdez as president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).