Gerry's Grill, 100plus win; Starmen at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Gerry’s Grill-PGA brought down Parola Maritime, 100-96, while 100plus Isotonic Sports Drink humbled Makati Medical Center, 92-64, to keep their hopes alive for the second  outright  semis berth in the 2011 MBL Corporate Cup basketball championship at the San Andres gym in Malate.

Former PATTS standout Rene Boy Banzali played another solid, all-around game  for Gerry’s Grill, which rallied from several 13-point deficits in the third quarter  to eke out  a heart-stopping, come-from-behind win over Parola in the eight-team tournament.

The win propelled Gerry’s Grill to solo second place with a 5-1 win-loss record, half game  behind elimination round topnotcher Star Group of Publications, which won by default over Duraville Realty.

Four other players  -- Christopher Manalili,  Alwyn Cabonce, Aldrene Ricafranca and  John Gonzales --  also scored in double figures for Gerry’s Grill, which can clinch the second outright semis berth with a win over 100plus at the close of the elimination round  on Tuesday.

Simon  and Rey Alao shared  scoring honors for Parola, which dropped to third place with a 5-2 slate, Simon made eight  three-point shots, including five in the first quarter alone, for  the Micah Medical Clinic-supported team of  managers Simon and Bumchil Heo

100plus drew balanced scoring attack from Reagan Hasal (22 points), Ralph Sonsona (16), Rhum Perry Scott (10), Bodie Balmaceda (10) and, Jeoff Divinagracia (10) to  improve to 4-2.

The Philip Yulo-mentored 100plus can still forge a three-way tie for second place with a win over Gerry’s Grill on Tuesday.

Former  national team standout Richie Melencio topscored for Makati Med with 20 markers.

Tournament director Albert Andaya said the top two teams will advance to the semis outright, while the next four teams will dispute the remaining semis berths in a pair of knockout matches.  The No. 1 team will then meet the  winner of the game between the No. 4 and No. 5 teams, while the No. 2 squad will battle the victor of the match between the No. 3 and No. 6 teams.

The winners of  the knockout semifinal matches will dispute the title in a winner-take-all encounter.

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