RIYADH: Al Faisaliah Giants of Rey Hagoriles and Gerry Donato overcame a strong challenge from defending champion Marriott Hotel and brought home the championship crown with 104-87 game 2 sweep victory as Jericho Dela Cruz of the Marriott team emerged Most Valuable Player (MVP) 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.

This is the seventh championship title for Faisaliah. Marriott has won it six times, Intercon, four; Riyadh Palace, three; Sheraton Riyadh Hotel and Towers, one and the other title was undecided in 2007 during the 22 years survival of this tourney

The spirited Giants maintained their composure till the final period. Strong determination guided them to duplicate their game one win 110-99 made possible by the outstanding teamwork of Nino Lauriaga for his strong undergoal rebounds, Archie Zabala in tandem with Jason Lopera in proper ball handling, Mitchel Campomanes in the center and Maynard Azurin in the shaded lane to record this game 2 victory marked by 8 deadlocks. Coach Loth Lomibao of Marriott, unaffected by the Giants’ domination of the game applied stiff defense orchestrated by the combo of Jericho Dela Cruz, Choi Salman, Bryan Lising, Randy Pineda and Ed Manansala but was in vain as Coach Gerry Donato’s cagers continued to penetrate their defense which were jubilantly greeted with big applause by the crowd on their march to the championship victory.

Al Faisaliah cagers Nino Lauriaga, Abdul Fattah and Archie Zabala took the award for the highest in steal, highest in block shots and highest in assists respectively while Ed Manansala of Marriott for the highest in rebound and Jojo Quizon of Sheraton for the highest single scorer and highest in 3 points.

The mythical five were Archie Zabala (Al Faisaliah) and Jojo Quizon (Sheraton). Best Guards, Nino Lauriaga (Al Faisaliah) and Jericho Dela Cruz (Marriott). Best coach and best team manager awards went to Gerry Donato and Rey Hagoriles respectively, both from the champion team. The most disciplined team award went to Four Seasons Hotel while Jaffar Laguindab (Radisson Blu) took the award for the Most Disciplined Player. Mark Ilusorio (Radisson Blu) and Jericho Dela Cruz (Marriott) were adjudged Rookie of the League and the MVP of the league in that order. Sheraton clinched the 3rd runner-up trophy while Radisson Blu and Marriott teams placed 2nd and 1st runners-up as the Al Faisaliah Giants emerged this season’s champions.

SCORES:

Game 1

Al Faisaliah Giants (110): M. Campomanes 32, A. Zabala 25, J. Lopera 21, N. Lauriaga 15, A. Fattah 8, M. Sanchez 5, M. Azurin 2 & A. Coral 2. Marriott (99): B. Lising 39, C. Salman 23, J. Dela Cruz 20, R. Pineda 10, M. Jimenez 6 & E. Manansala 1.

Game 2

Al Faisaliah Giants (104): N. Lauriaga 35, J. Lopera 20, M. Campomanes 18, M. Azurin 13, A. Zabala 10, A. Fattah 4 & M. Sanchez 4. Marriott (87): J. Dela Cruz 27, C. Salman 24, R. Pineda 14, B. Lising 12, E. Manansala 4 & M. Jimenez 4. Refs: Robert Pineda, Jojo Novero and Jojo Villania.

Refs: Ernie dela Cruz, Mohamad Villamena and Joel Villania