RIYADH: BMTC, SABB, Saudi Rocks, Marriott Hotel and Cotabato Hunters brought down their opponents at the start of the semifinal rounds in the 22nd Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels and Part 2 of the 15th Season Basketball Fever in Riyadh at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers rubberized basketball court, here.

Elimination round no-loss record team SMS/Telco of Rico Petil opened the semifinal round with a first loss record via 87-66 final tally. BMTC of Noel Domingo anchored by Jaime Hernandez with his game high 28 points upset SMS squad. BMTC boyz led all the quarters 20-12, 41-34 and 62-46 giving no chance to SMS to advance in this ballgame.

Saudi British Bank (SABB) of Jun Pacheco prevailed over Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) of Faisal F. Radwan in an elite bankers’ battle, 82-59. SABB piloted by cagers Necsan Cabadonga, Rex Eleazar, Lino Fernandez, Dante Ramones and the Camposagrado siblings started strong to finish the first half with 35-23 on the way to 56-41 third canto end scores. BSF Philip Reyes 30 points output fell short to cover the big deficit of 23 points at the final buzzer.

Saudi Rocks of Rommel Jacinto and Aref Aldaba survived Haif Company team’s scare in a 63-55 match. Saudi Rocks spearheaded by the combo of Dalmacio Dela Cruz, Joseph Boco, Russel De Fiesta, Jeffrey Dela Pena and Adriano Ortega in a fine display of effective teamwork closed the first two period with 23-17 and 40-30 paving the way for an 8-point margin of victory.

In the Inter-Hotel category, Marriott of Felias Batica & Loth Lomibao opened the semis with a big hit via 103-94 victorious match over Sheraton Hotel of Bilal Fawaz, Jess Lumanog & Rene Delos Reyes. It was see-saw battle during the first three quarters where Sheraton led by Jojo Quizon, Ruel Paule, Anthony Concepcion, Jeff Rodriguez and Melchor Biteng took the driver’s seat in the initial period 28-21.

Marriott with Jericho Dela Cruz, Choi Salman, Bryan Lising, Randy Pineda and Mark Jimenez grabbed the second quarter scores lead, 45-39. Both teams battled hard to dominate the boards where Sheraton regained the third canto end scores with 74-69 but were not able to sustain their staying power.

Cotabato Hunters of Nasser & Noura Ponponan overcame the strong challenge of Tony Santos & Dodong Flores IKEA team, 95-88 in the 6 feet & below category. Coach Nasser picked the right combination of ace cagers Opet Macalaba, Marlon Mallari, Ebok Pineda, Arnold Bansil and Ruel Paule in collaboration with Arnold Datu, Jafar Laguindab and Drew Vallejo from the start to the concluding quarter to lead the game and maintain their domination in this 5 deadlock match. IKEA had Marlon Pining, Chris Asis, John Carlo Garcia, Nino Lauriaga and Leo Gonzales as their leading scorers.

Other semifinal games featured Al Faisaliah Giants of Rey Hagoriles and Gerry Donato denied Radisson Blu of Ali Al-Qarni, Carlos Carreon & Roman Paparo a semis opener win in a 102-79 final tally match marked by 4 deadlocks. Coach Donato built his plays around Mitchel Campomanes, Nino Lauriaga, Jason Lopera, Archie Zabala and Mark Sanchez who gained a 23-point advantage victory. Radisson’s Mark Ilusorio’s 28 big points output plus Terence Racosas, George Lugue, Jafar Laguindab and John Peter Mamaril’s combined points fell short to highlight this win in their favor.

During their second outing, BMTC suffered a blow of injury as Haif Company of Cesar Vales awarded them their first defeat in the semis round 78-63. Playing Coach Onyo Hernandez banked on the abilities of Opet Macalaba, RC Caballero, Faith Nieva, Diego Manalaysay and rookie Ronces Figuracion who went up against BMTC’s Jaime Hernandez, Mike Ebo, Edmer Serna, Alvin Galang and Jayson David to close the first half with 40-27 scores on the way to their 15 points margin of victory.

The tournament, which is for the benefit of the children of UNICEF, enjoys the generous support of Stuart G. Birkwood, General Manager of Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers. Western Union Money Transfer through Rodelon Del Mundo, Diaspora Manager – KSA to the Philippines & Indochina and Lowell F. Plameras, The Media Brokers is the sponsor of this tournament. Nick Di Marzo of Sale for Distribution & Communication Company, Faisal F. Radwan of Banque Saudi Fransi, Sizzler House through Randy Asistin, Roland Blanco of the Filipino Channel (TFC), Cesar Morales of Saudi Oger, Ltd. and Arab News support this tournament.

Carlos D. Ollero is the Chairman of the Riyadh Inter-Hotels Sports Committee. Ollero is being supported by Joy Maglapit, Jess Lumanog, Rene Delos Reyes, Jezreel Tabisora, Lito Unidad, Chris Tan, Anthony Concepcion, Fernan Evangelista, Melchor Costales and Sonny Castaneda while FCBR (Filipino Confederation of Basketball Referees) officiate the entire tournament games.