PHILIPPINES – It’s less than a month away before the start of another season in Baseball Philippines as the league will unfurl its Series 5 on Easter Sunday, April 12.

And from the looks of the latest rosters released by the league recently, Cebu appears to have another great shot of repeating as champions. But, other teams seem to have made some slight overhaul in their lineups in hopes of dethroning the Dolphins.

As we approach the start of yet another baseball season at the 75-year old Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, let’s look at how the teams did during the offseason.

Cebu Dolphins
Series 4 Record: 11-3 (defeated Dumaguete to win the championship)
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None

Despite winning their second straight championship, the Cebu Dolphins made no significant changes in hopes of capturing another title.

Although the Dolphins added Manuel Bacarisas (another member of the famed Bacarisas baseball/softball clan), it is expected that team manager Saki Bacarisas will rely heavily on his key veterans for another shot at the crown.

And the primary cast of his squad will be lefty starter Joseph Orillana, who was named as the Series 4 Most Valuable Player after another splendid campaign. The former La Salle ace and current national batter dominated his opponents with his pitching and hitting .

But as always, he will get the usual help from power hitting Miggy Corcuera, catcher Fongs Rances, centerfielder Jonash Ponce, infielder Emerson Atilano and pitcher/utilityman Jeffrey Ardio, who rose as a key alternate for Orillana on the mound.

Dumaguete Uni-Bikers
Series 4 Record: 7-8 (loss to Cebu in the finals)
Key Additions: Ram Alipio (UAAP with National University)
Key Losses: None

The always-surprising Dumaguete Uni-Bikers plan to end a series of disappointing finals’ losses to the Batangas Bulls and Cebu, respectively. But consistency all tournament long will be a key in their bid to win it all.

Aside from ace pitcher Darwin dela Calzada, the 2008 Jun Bernardino MVP, outfielder Andro Cuyugan and catcher Edmer del Socorro, ageless wonder Kiko Ramos is also back especially after achieving his goal of winning the Home Run King in the last tournament.

Playing team manager Lito Pulgo will also tap Marlon Caspillo, Bambol Servo, Bai dela Cerna and Saxon Omandac, among others. And who knows, playing assistant Kelly Culubong could shift his focus back on playing full-time and rediscover his explosive performance in Series 3.

The veteran-laden team will also be receiving support from youthful collegiate players like Justin Payongayong, who batted leadoff in his freshman year with University of the Philippines, and recently-signed Ram Alipio, who won the UAAP Rookie of the Year award for National University.

Forward Taguig Patriots
Series 4 Record: 8-4 (loss to Dumaguete in the semifinals)
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Roel Empacis (to Manila)

In Series 4, the Patriots tasted their best finish since joining the league two years ago but that success didn’t result in a championship after a bitter defeat to the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers.

This time, Taguig looks to move forward in order to get a first taste of the title despite the departure of Roel Empacis to the Manila Sharks.

The Patriots will be led once more by former league MVP Ernesto Binarao, who pitched a splendid campaign in Series 4, along with playing team manager Iking Jimenez and national team member Ferdinand Recto.

Aside from the three key players, Jimenez will also lean on solid contributions of infielders Ryan Garcia, Jeffrey Hardillo, Melvin de Castro and Ronaldo delos Reyes. Young outfielder Richard Siacor, meanwhile, hopes for a strong effort after coming off a solid stint with champion Adamson University in the recent UAAP season.

Batangas Bulls
Series 4 Record: 5-8 (loss to Cebu in the semifinals)
Key Additions: Romeo Jasmin (from Muntinlupa), Hashim Omandac (from Muntinlupa)
Key Losses: Matt Laurel and Jay Laurel (to Alabang)

The Batangas Bulls failed to repeat as champions in Series 4. Worse, they were a dismal team in the classification round and faltered down the stretch in a heartbreaking semifinal defeat to the Dolphins.

In hopes of making a solution to some problems, the Bulls deal in the offseason, adding reigning UAAP Best Pitcher Romeo Jasmin from Alabang (then-Muntinlupa Mariners) for the Laurel brothers. The addition of Jasmin, who pitched Adamson to a second straight UAAP title, formed a dream pitching tandem with ace lefty Vladimir Eguia.

But pitching won’t be enough for Batangas, as proven before. Series 3 Home Run King and MVP and Series 4 Best Hitter Vio Roxas is expected to power the Bulls’ offense alongside Jojo Apura, Junnifer Pinero and Chris Canlas, who was a key addition for Batangas in the previous tourney.

Team manager Randy Dizer also expects that the likes of centerfielder Carlo Banzon, Teddy Landicho and son Nikko Dizer to contribute while hoping that US-based Justin Zialcita would be available during the course of Series 5.

Alabang Tigers
Series 4 Record: 4-7 (loss to Batangas in the first round)
Key Additions: Matt Laurel and Jay Laurel (from Batangas)
Key Losses: Romeo Jasmin (to Batangas), Hashim Omandac (to Batangas)

From the Makati Mariners to the Muntinlupa Mariners and now – the Alabang Tigers.

Team owners hope another name change could prosper another fresh start. In Series 4, they had a decent finish but this time, the Tigers wants to rule the league once more since winning the Pilot Series.

But the Tigers shift their primary starter Romeo Jasmin to the Batangas Bulls for Matt and Jay Laurel. Despite the loss of Jasmin, the brothers are expected to contribute on almost every side of the field as seen in their contributions with Batangas last year.

Again, Alabang will rely heavily on the RP team triumvirate of Ruben Angeles, Roel Batuto and Andoy Velasquez. The three were key additions in the Mariners’ three-game improvement from Series 3.

Manila Sharks
Series 4 Record: 3-7 (loss to Dumaguete in the first round as the Muntinlupa Mariners)
Key Additions: Roel Empacis (from Forward Taguig)
Key Losses: None

Can the Manila Sharks recovered from a monumental tailspin that occurred in Series 4?

From one of the league’s top contending teams, the Sharks faltered to a disappointing last-place finish in the previous tournament after getting booted out once more by the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers in the first round of the playoffs.

For the Sharks’ teeth to be sharp once again, managers Jhoel Palanog and Orlando Binarao would have to be optimistic that veterans Charlie Labrador, Nino Tator, Rommel Roja and Romy Bumagat deliver for the team.

But expectations are high for 20-year old first baseman Marvin Malig, who won almost every awards possible in the recent UAAP wars, including the coveted MVP award to lead Adamson to a second-straight title. Of course, his memorable moment was his record-breaking three-homer game against NU.

The Dolphins will surely be the favored team of the upcoming Series 5. But, will the Uni- Bikers’ finally win a title? Can the Bulls regain their fury? How about the Patriots and the Sharks? Are the Tigers’ going to growl? Which team will pull out some surprises?

Let’s find out by Easter Sunday.

Jonas Terrado is the Chief Writer at Baseball Philippines website

Tags: Philippines