SANTO DOMINGO.– The semifinal series of the
2025-26 LIDOM tournament enters its most decisive stage starting today, with a closing that could extend until
Saturday, January 17 and that will define the two teams that will play the
Final Series.
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The
Leones del Escogido took a decisive step last Sunday by defeating the
Toros del Este, a result that put them with a record of
10-3 and reduced their
magic number to two, leaving them on the verge of securing their classification.
With an additional victory and at least a split in the two games still to be played by
Águilas Cibaeñas and
Toros del Este, the scarlet team would seal their direct pass to the final. In that scenario, Escogido would guarantee at least a tie in second position, which in the worst case would force an extra game, but with a mathematical advantage.
Eagles and Bulls, a duel to the death
As the Lions approach the goal,
Eagles and
Bulls start this last week tied with a record of
7-6, disputing the last available ticket inch by inch.
Both teams have reinforced their squads with players from the winter leagues of
Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, in an effort to tip the scales in a race that remains completely open.
Tight schedule and sensitive casualties
The
Águilas Cibaeñas have two games ahead against the
Gigantes del Cibao, two against the
Escogido and one against the
Toros. They have managed to avoid prolonged negative streaks and take advantage of the taurinos' slump to stay in the fight.
For their part, the
Toros del Este face an even more demanding path, with two games against the Leones, two against the Águilas and one against the Gigantes. The La Romana team arrives battered after falling in four consecutive games and suffering the loss of two of their three starting outfielders:
Gilberto Celestino, injured, and
Luis Liberato, who signed a contract to play in Asia during the summer.
These absences have directly impacted their offense and turn each match into a true early final.
Chosen seeks to revalidate their crown
With the
Gigantes del Cibao already eliminated, the
Escogido aspires to revalidate the championship achieved in the
2024-25 season, this time with a solid performance from the mound and a collective execution that has made the difference in the Round Robin.