Wednesday, October 30

Antipolo Graces Tour
But Titans prevail after rallying in final at-bat

Last Saturday may have been an ocean away from the World Series, but one of the Anaheim Angels' rally monkeys apparently found its way across the Pacific to Marist Field. Arjay Santos drove home the winning run with a two-out walk-off single down the rightfield line to cap a three-run rally in the last frame as the Titans welcomed Antipolo to the Titans Tour with a thrilling come from behind 7-6 win.

Arjay Santos had a good day at the plate against Antipolo, collecting three hits while driving in four runs.Trailing by two into the last of the seventh and facing one of the country's premier pitchers in Joesph Orillana, who at that point had retired 9 of 11 batters allowing only one ball out of the infield, the Titans started the inning with a texas leaguer from Jobie Rabat. Leslie Suntay draws a walk. Jerome Sumulong then beats out a baltimore chop to second for an infield hit to load the bases. Then a freak occurrence takes place when Vince Alimurung rifles a grounder that finds its way into shortstop Val Aquino's clothing, allowing two runs to score and drawing the Titans even. Antipolo then gets the lead runner in a rundown only to have Alimurung move into scoring position by stealing second. Orillana then whiffs Alvin Santos, but comes up short against DLSU teammate Arjay Santos, who got his third hit of the game and fourth run batted in.

It was the sixth time in the past eight games that the Titans have been involved in a one-run game...

Adamson 5, Titans 4
Angeles UF 6, Titans 5
Titans 15, Ateneo 4
Titans 6, DLSU 4
Palau 3, Titans 2
Marist 2, Titans 1
Titans 6, Marist 5
Titans 7, Antipolo 6

The Titans opened the scoring in the third inning by getting three runs on a couple of two-out walks, two errors and a double to chase Antipolo starter Mel Palakol. The boys from the hills respond with a four-spot in the fourth behind four successive hits and two errors. Antipolo would add another in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. The teams would then trade a run each going into the decisive inning.

Jayson Santiago picked up the win for the Titans, allowing two runs on a hit and three walks over the final three innings while striking out four. Orillana absorbed the loss. Brothers Mel and Roswald Palakol had two hits apiece to pace Antipolo. With the Titans Tour format, members of the Titans Baseball Club are precluded from wearing the Titans colors in games involving their current teams.

Final score from second game (intrasquad): 6-4... The winning combination: Roswald Palakol, Ryan Palakol, Joseph Orillana, Nesty Lesyon, Leslie Suntay, Jake Tuazon, Kevin Ramos, Vince Alimurung, Ferdie Madarang.