Al Faisaliah, Sheraton Riyadh clinch 25th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Cup openers

Defending champion Al Faisaliah Hotel and Sheraton Riyadh Hotel posted opening day victories in the 25th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Basketball Tournament at the Sheraton rubberized basketball court here last Friday.
Cesar Morales emceed the opening ceremony and welcomed the distinguished guests and league participants led by Labor Attached Albert Q. Valenciano with Ibrahim Balaha, hotel manager, and Abdullah Al Dabbas, administration of Makarim Hotel, Wael Maatouk, hotel manager and Amr Gado, SPA manager-team manager of Ritz Carlton and Randy Asistin of Sizzler House who provided a meal coupon for two person for the first three-point shot.
Nino Lauriaga, last year’s MVP from Al Faisaliah, led the oath of sportsmanship after which league chairman Carlos D. Ollero declared the tournament open.
The participating hotel teams are Al Faisaliah, Riyadh Intercontinental, Makarim Riyadh, Marriott Riyadh, Ritz Carlton and Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.
Defending Champion Al Faisaliah coached by Nolie Ramos and Hector Anical crushed new entrant Makarim Riyadh coached by Fares Limin and Damian Ramirez 91-74.
Al Faisaliah proved the better team with Nino Lauriaga, dimunitive Archie Zabala, Jason Lopera, Nino Salvador and Mitchel Campomanes at the helm putting down the challenge of the new comer after trailing 15-10 in the first quarter. Fredie Redulfin top-scored with 35 and Damian Ramirez had 21 for Makarim but this was not sufficient to overturn the big lead of Faisaliah.
In the second game, Marvin Casubuan, Anthony Concepcion, Jay-R de Guzman, Thomas Frias and Christopher Tan powered Sheraton Riyadh to an 11-point first quarter lead at 21-10. Elly Fallorin, Allan delos Reyes, Joney Calibo, Sotero Espirito joined the fray to close the second and third quarters 36-20 and 52-40 but at the start of the fourth quarter coach Rolly Mendoza of Ritz Carlton re-shuffled his boys and made a strong rally with bigman Chow King Yee, Clarkton Browly, Jaypee Tulao, Jun Albert Coronia, Prodensio Barnachea and Juniver Manalo and managed to tie the score at 63 to force an overtime.
At the ensuing overtime time Ritz Carlton had been hampered by foul trouble to its key cager Clarkton Brawly. With still 3.08 minutes to play Brawly picked up his final foul followed in succession by Jaypee Tulao, Leonardo Choco and Prodensio Barnachea. Chow King Yee was playing with 4 fouls diminishing his effectiveness and giving Sheraton coach Jess Lumanog opportunity for Sheraton boys to beat Ritz Carlton 80-75.
The 25th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Basketball Tournament 2012 for the benefit of the Children of UNICEF enjoys the generous support of Paul C. Dunphy, general manager of Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers, and is organized by the Riyadh Inter-Hotels Sports Committee under the stewardship of Carlos D. Ollero, the chairman who has the full support of the Sheraton management and participating hotels as well.
The Filipino Confederation of Basketball Referees headed by Ernie Dela Cruz handles the tournament officiating. This referees group has been supporting the committee for the last 24 years.
Also, Ollero said the tournament will have a tentative opening of Nov. 30 for the Inter-Company Non-Rated and Inter-Company 5’ 10” & Below. Registration is still open. Please call Ollero at 0509995154 for details.
The scores:
Al Faisaliah (91) N. Lauriaga 22, M. Campomanes 22, A. Zabala 10, N. Salvador 9, A. Abdul Fattah 9, A. Coral 8, C. Hall, 4. Fernandez 4, T. Marilag 2, J. Lopera 1.
Makarim (74) F. Redulfin 35, D. Ramirez 21, V. Cesicar 6, F. Lemin 4, L. Herrera 4, D. Marjes 3, M. Nueca 1
Refs: Pumar Quillo, Joel Villana
Sheraton (80) A. Conepcion 20, M. Casubuan 19, JR. De Guzman 15, A. Delos Reyes 11, T. Frias 8, E. Fallorin 7
Ritz Carlton (75) CK. Yee 34, P. Barnachea 11, JA. Coronia 9, J. Tulao 7, C. Brawly 6, J. Manalo 4, J. Guarin 2, A. Crisostomo 2