STAR Group opens title-retention drive

Game today

(Lyceum gym)

7 p.m. – Star Group of Companies vs Victoria Court AMH

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion STAR Group of Companies kicks off its back-to-back title bid as it plays newcomer Victoria Court AMH in the 2012 MBL Corporate Cup 2 basketball tournament today at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros.

Handled by coach Alfred Bartolome and manager Mike Maneze, STAR Group is fielding in a near intact roster that bagged the inaugural MBL Corporate Cup over 100Plus Isotonic Sports Drink last year.

Leading STAR Group’s charge in the tournament serving as part of MBL’s 12th anniversary celebrations are last year’s MVP Dennis Rodriguez, former collegiate standout Chris Corbin, Gerald Ortega, Jhong Bondoc, veteran Niño Marquez and Ver Roque.

Victoria Court AMH, on the other hand, is composed of young but talented players tapped from various hotel branches which took part in the recently concluded Victoria Court Basketball League.

The team includes four members of the Victoria Court-North EDSA. It will be led by coach Ryan Regio, HR supervisor Arnold Lasay and hotel manager Richie de Ocampo and import Jeffrey Maurillo. 

The members of the team are Joey Quintos, Jan Michael Galupo, Ferdinand Matuba and Nolan Fermin, all of VC North EDSA, Warren Valenciano and Samboy Ortega of VC-Malabon, Jorge Razo of VC-Balintawak, Richie de Ocampo of VC Head Office; Arnelio Manimano, Manuel Cheng, Robert Quetua, Eric Tanyag, Roden Molina and Billy Jay de Roxas, all of VC-Pasig.

MBL chairman Alex Wang of Wang’s Ballclub will make the ceremonial toss.