Starmen sweep MBL elims; Marquez, Bondoc shine

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Star Group of Publications overcame moments of complacency to subdue Manila Capitals, 91-85, and complete a rare eight-game sweep of the elimination round in the MBL Corporate Cup 2 basketball championship at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Niño Marquez and Jhong Bondoc provided the offensive muscle while Chris Corbin shone in defense for the Starmen, who used a strong third-quarter  to break away from a close contest and then held off the Capitals’ last-ditch comeback to finish  the eliminations unbeaten with eight straight wins.

More importantly, the win gave the Starmen of coach Alfred Bartolome and manager Mike Maneze a twice-to-beat bonus against PRC Couriers in the championship round.

Couriers, which is being managed by businessman-sportsman Alex Wang and coach Pablo Lucas, earned the right to meet Star in the final by finishing second in the elimination round.

Marquez finished with 22 points, including two straight three-point shots in a pivotal stretch in the fourth quarter that

cut short the Capitals’ rally.

Bondoc matched Marquez’s output with 22 points, while Corbin added 11 points while anchoring Star’s solid defensive

efforts in the third and fourth periods.

Rolly Santarin scattered 17 points for Manila, which played minus playing team manager Paul Almario and three other

key mainstays.

Junnie Barranta added 16 points for the Bong Laus-mentored Capitals.

Meanwhile, the MBL opens the 2013 season with its First Conference starting this weekend.

Newly-crowned PCCL champion UST-Pacific Pipes and NAASCU runner-up CEU-Advance Solutions Inc. will clash in the opening game.

KABAKA chairman Cong. Dondon Bagatsing has been invited to  grace the opening ceremony.

The scores:

Star Group (91) -- Marquez 22, Bondoc 22,  Corbin 11,  Geocada 9, Roque 8,  Reducto 6,  Sanggalang 6,

Coquilla 4, Ortega 3, Rodriguez 0.

Manila (85) -- Santarin 17, Barranta 16, Labro 14, Vilar 14, Iglane 12, Amparo 10 Isip 2.

Quarterscores: 19-18,  38-38, 65-52, 91-85.