LORENZO UBUNGEN pushed two runners home in the eighth inning to lead Cebu to an 8-6 victory over Manila on Saturday in Game One of the Baseball Philippines Series 9 finals at the Rizal ballpark.
After Joeannard Pareja and Nico Uichico walked, Ubungen blasted a two-run double to push both runners home to break a 6-6 deadlock at the bottom of the eighth and pull the Dolphins within a win of their third league title.
They can clinch the title in Game Two on Sunday afternoon, also at the Rizal ballpark.
Joseph Orillana, coming back from an ankle injury, retired three of the last four Manila batters in five innings of relief to clinch the victory.
Cebu scored four runs in the sixth inning to grab a 6-4 lead but Manila tied the game courtesy of a two-run single by Warren Vispo.
Ubungen started on the mound for Cebu but he allowed four runs after the fourth inning to keep Manila in contention.
Orillana pitched in relief of Ubungen, giving up two runs but holding on for the victory.
Meanwhile, the Alabang Tigers and the Dumaguete Uni-bikers clash in the battle for third at 9 a.m.
