Gerry's Grill, Hobe triumph

MANILA, Philippines - Gerry’s Grill outsteadied Duraville Realty, 92-84, and Manila-Hobe Bihon humbled Makati Medical Center, 104-79, to formalize their entry to the next round in the 2011 MBL  Corporate Cup basketball championship at the  San Andres gym in Malate.

Four players, led by former PATTS standout Rene Boy Banzali, scored in double figures as Gerry’s Grill staved off a determined stand by Duraville and  streaked to its fourth win in five matches in the eight-team tournament sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Ironcon Builders, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and WG Diner.

Banzali scattered a game-high 30 points,  John Gonzales added 23 points and Topher  Manalili contributed 15 points for coach Wilson Sia-mentored Gerry’s Grill, which need a strong finish to frustrate Duraville.

Fil-Am Anthony Cuevas topscored with 26 points for Duraville  of playing manager Jeff Bongat and coach Nonoy Bonleon.

Manila-Hobe drew balanced scoring attack from ex-PBA player Al Vergara, Charles Mislang, Bernard Labro , Jerome de Guzman and Paul  Edward Almario to roll back Makati Med and improve to 3-4 in a tie with Secret Spices.

Vergara played an all-around game and finished with 23 points for Manila-Hobe, which is being handled by coach Raymond Reyes and supported by Manila Mayor Fred Lim and  businessman Bobby Co.

Mislang added 12 points, while Labro, De Guzman and Almario contributed 10 points apiece for Manila-Hobe.

Former national team standout Richie Melencio paced Makati Med with 27 points.

Tournament director Albert Andaya said the top two team after the elimination round  will advance to the semis outright, while the next four teams will  dispute the remaining semis berths in a pair of knockout matches.

The  winner of the game between the No. 3 and No. 6 teams will meet the No. 2 team, while the victor of the  match between the No., 4 and No. 5 teams  will face the  No. 1 team in knockout  semifinal games..

The championship will be a winner-take-all affair.

Multi-titled coach Loreto “Ato” Tolentino is the commissioner.

The scores:

Manila-Hobe 104 - Vergara 23, Mislang 12, Labro 10, Almario10, De Guzman 10,  Igliane 8, Clemente 8, Lim 7, Atunaga 4, Mariano 4, Tejada 3, Amparo 3, Abragan 2,

Makati Medical 79 - Melencio 27, Acuna 11, Delos Santos 8, Perez 7, Millete 5, Pores 5, Agustin 4, Almares 4, Sodusta 3, Encio 3, Caoli 2, Gorriceta 2, Castro 0.

Quarterscores:  20-18, 59-35, 84-54, 104-79.

Second game

Gerry’s Grill 92 - Banzali 30, Gonzales 23, Manalili 15, Ricafranca 10, Coyuito 7, Imfortante 4, Sia 3, Moreno 2.

Duraville  84 -  Cuevas 26, Coronel 18, Laurel 13, Sangera 10, Mangahas 9, E.Gomez 4, T.Gomez 2, Bongat 2.

Quarterscores:  27-29, 48-49, 69-68, 92-84.