Bears take second finals seat

Titanium’s Jhace Palacios gets ready to run to second, while Chalan Kanoa Bears first baseman Angel Palacios prepares for a catch during Game 1 of their best-of-three semis series in the 2016 Saipan Basebal League last week at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. The Bears closed out the series after a 2-1 victory in Game 3 last Wednesday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Chalan Kanoa Bears won a defensive battle against Titanium, 2-1, in the deciding Game 3 of their semis series in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

With the hard-earned victory, the Bears clinched the second finals berth and will begin their best-of-five title showdown against the BSI Aces tonight. The Aces earlier got the first finals ticket after sweeping the dethroned champions GSM Brewers in their own best-of-three semis series following a 6-5 win in Game 2 last Tuesday, while the Bears were forced to play a rubber after bowing to Titanium last Monday, 3-7.

With their season on the line and the 14-game sweep in the elimination may head down the drain, the top-ranked Bears turned to pitcher A.J. Lizama and their defense to foil Titanium’s upset bid.

A.J. Lizama pitched in no relief in nine innings, allowing only five hits and no earned runs, while striking out eight. He had a two-hitter in the last four innings where the Bears shut down Titanium to preserve the shaky lead.

The Bears took a 2-1 advantage when Kiku Lizama and Henry Lizama reached at the bottom of the third. Kiku had a triple and brought Henry home, while the former also scored off Perry Celis’ sacrifice out. Titanium got its lone run at the top of the fifth with Jun Rabauliman making it home off the Bears’ error.

After Rabauliman’s run, Titanium made it no more past second base against the Bears’ strong defense in the last four innings.

The Bernard Cabrera-managed Titanium was called for a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth with Patrick Tenorio and Jerald Cabrera flying out at center field and shortstop, respectively, and A.J. fanning out big hitter Brian Camacho. Then in the seventh, Nathan Camacho and Rabauliman were left stranded at second and first, respectively, when A.J. struck out Jun Deleon Guerrero and Bill Camacho and caught a line drive from Jun Cabrera.

The Bears’ defense also stranded leadoff batter Jhace Palacios at first in the eighth inning when Tenorio and Jerald flied out at center field and A.J. fanned out Brian Camacho for the second straight time. Brian’s younger brother, Nathan then led off for Titanium in the last inning, singled, and reached second off a Bears’ error to keep his team in the game. However, the Bears’ defense was still there to deny Titanium, as leftfielder Marvin Kaipat caught a fly from Rabauliman and second baseman Jose Lizama Jr. did the same on Steven Cabrera for the first and third out, while A.J. picked up a bunt from Deleon Guerrero and threw to first baseman Angel Palacios for the second out.

Despite the loss, the last semifinalist Titanium must be credited, too with its defense after holding the Bears to back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the first and second. Joe Palacios pitched for Titanium and had three early strikeouts in the first two innings before giving up the crucial triple to Kiku in the third. Joe went on to yield only four hits and fanned out eight, while Titanium’s defense forced the Bears to 1-2-3 innings from the fourth to sixth inning before stranding three runners in the final two.