MANILA, Philippines - STAR Group of Publications leaned on Jhong Bondoc and Dennis Rodriguez to blast Secret Spices, 85-70, and clinch the first outright semis berth in the 2011 MBL Corporate cup basketball championship at the Aquinas gym in San Juan last Wednesday.
Bondoc scored 18 points, while Rodriguez added 15 points to power the Starmen to their fifth win in six games in the eight-team tournament sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Ironcon Builders, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and WG Diners.
Bondoc and Rodriguez keyed Star Group’s running game with their barreling drives and outside shooting to frustrate Secret Spices.
Gio Coquilla also came through with back-to-back triples to foil the Secret Spices’ rally.
Lester Reyes and Virgilio Roque added 10 points apiece while Coquilla wound up with eight points for Star Group.
Julio Magbanua finished with 17 points and Dudoy Ignacio added 15 points for Secret Spices, which slid to 2-4.
Meanwhile, the tournament resumes today with Parola Maritime (4-1) seeking the second outright semis berth as it plays winless Makati Medical Center (0-4) at 7 p.m. at the San Andres gym.