2003 TITANS SERIES PREVIEW

Encore... Atlas, Crius, Cronus, Uranus Resume Rivalry

	Unlike last year when members split officiating duties, this year's Series will feature professional umpires.

The grass is green once again. Baseball more than any other sport carries with it a tradition built upon generations past. Yes it's September, a time for a new tradition to take shape as the 2003 Titans Series unfolds this weekend at Marist Field in Marikina, today's hotbed for adult baseball in the Philippines.

It wasn't that long ago when Rajah Singh retrieved Edsel Atienza's high throw from third that landed Atlas the 2002 Titans Series crown jewel. Baseball camps have been in full stride since last month. Several new faces joined the annual draft which yielded the same four teams bearing the namesake of those Greek gods, the Titans: Atlas, Crius, Cronus, and Uranus.

Several impact players from last year's Series won't be seeing action, including Series MVP Singh, Joey Carillo, Eric Cuisia, Bai De la Cerna, Jon De Ubago, Edmund Eguerra, Em Fernandez, Dino Lising, and Joe Quiogue. They could stock a rather competitive roster by themselves.

Nevertheless the Series continues to flourish as the draft brought forth a new crop worthy of carrying the game to the next level. Over the next two weekends, they will take part in this grueling, survival-of-the-fittest, two weekend showdown featuring the glitter of adult amateur and recreational baseball in the country.

Team Crius' Joseph Orillana is a strong candidate to win Series MVP honors.

Team strategy and camaraderie more than talent will determine who will emerge this year's Titan. It is already a given that parity rules the Series. Graced with All-Filipino caliber talent as well as novices alike, each team presents strengths and weaknesses to be exploited.

While pitchers can only go a maximum of three innings, newbies will get more than what they can handle, or so it seems as everybody will be taking the field, sharing the responsibility of teamwork and the joys of sport in a competitive yet fun-under-the-sun environment. The only drawback would be the dreaded showers and stormy weather that have been known to interrupt play this time of year.

	Jeff Nolasco embodies the depth of Team Atlas' line-up.

Defending champion Team Atlas will sport a totally new look. Experience will work in their favor, anchored by 2003 Titans League Championship MVP Mel Palacol, sibling Rufino Jr, former ILLAM standouts Miggy Corcuera and Justin Zialcita, Arjay Santos, and elder statesman Mike Pastores. Chad Garcia can also sparkplug any offense. This team probably has the most consistent line-up top to bottom and can throw any of three capable arms that are a prerequisite to winning the Series. Defensively, their outfield with its lack of range could spend more time chasing balls than launching them. Still, a successful title defense looks good.

Last year's runner-up Team Uranus lugs the most unknowns on their roster. Beyond Arvin Cirunay and Bacchus Ledesma, Uranus will be hard pressed on the mound. Defense is potentially the best up the middle although shaky otherwise. Offense provides a scare with excellent lead-off threats in Tony Olayvar and Ericcson Bellosa, as well as a meat of the line-up that includes Jeff Rodriguez, Ledesma, and Cirunay. The key would be for Edsel Atienza to reestablish himself on both sides of the field and for the team to gel together quickly.

The Series' underdog label would go to Team Crius, unless 2003 Titans League MVP Joseph Orillana were allowed to pitch an entire game. There will be holes to fill at the top and bottom of the order and overall defense is suspect so expect a lot of positional shifting here. Still, with a line-up that features Migs Zuluaga, Jobie Rabat, Sonny Pensaber, Eric Gesmundo, and Orillana, Crius will always be a threat to score runs that could come in bunches.

Nesty Leyson will provide more than enough game at the plate and on the field for Team Cronus.

Bringing up the rear last year and stocked with the most players of any team in the Series, Team Cronus shouldn't have a problem fielding a capable unit for the three-day grind. Three pairs of siblings dot this roster. Loaded with innings-eaters in returnees Herbert Salvador and Nesty Leyson, Cronus can rest assured it will keep opposing hitters in check given that Sky Rosales, Jun Veloso, and youngster Jake Tuazon can fill in that crucial inning or two as necessary. This team can put the ball in play as good as any although a lack of power behind Rosales could spell them trouble. Defense is generally sound and can provide a few highlight reels to boot.

Each of these four teams however, will have to find the best mix and balance in their line-up at any given time. Let us not dread the possibility of an unseasoned player stepping up to bat with two out and the tying run 90 feet away. This is the Titans Series. Let the clashes begin.

You're in the game!