InterContinental Jubail scores five-peat in 6th Annual IHG Eastern Province Inter-Hotels Basketball

Champion team InterContinental Jubail. (AN photos)

Participating teams in a group photo.

ALKHOBAR: The 6th Annual IHG Eastern Province Inter-Hotels Basketball Tournament 2016 was held last Friday, and in all too familiar scene it was host team InterContinental Jubail that won the championship trophy for a rare five-peat.
The one-day annual event brought together the different IHG brand hotels in the Eastern Province as follows: InterContinental Al Khobar, Crowne Plaza Al Khobar, InterContinental Al Ahsa and InterContinental Al Jubail.
The opening games were preceded by a simple opening ceremony that was highlighted by the traditional parade of teams. Resident Manager Rabih Beaino delivered the opening remarks while InterCon Al Ahsa captain led the oath of sportsmanship.
The teams were divided in Group A and Group B. Group A pitted InterContinental Al Ahsa versus InterContinental Al Khobar while Group B had InterContinental Al Jubail up against Crowne Plaza Al Khobar. It’s winner versus winner for the championship. The losers play for third place
In the first game Group A, IC-Al Ahsa beat IC-Al Khobar 83-67. IC-Al Ahsa played organized offense in the whole game as IC-Al Khobar missed important baskets in the second half. Members of the winning team are
In Group B, IC-Jubail blasted CP-Al Khobar 82-57. IC-Jubail used running game to defuse the defense of CP-Al Khobar from start to finish.
Meanwhile, in afternoon of the same day, the losing teams faced off with CP-Al Khobar beating InterContinental Al Khobar 77-48.
The day’s main event , the championship between InterContinental Hotel Al Jubail & Al Ahsa, turned out a sleeper, 109-57 for the four-time defending champions who controlled the game from start to finish.
Named tournament MVP was Arman Samaniego of IC-Al Jubail. With Samaniego (32 points) in the mythical five selection were: Lorenzo Abalos (IC-Al Khobar) 45 points, Barry Ranola (CP-Al Khobar) 45 points, Florante Watiwat (IC-Al Ahsa) 36 points and Jasin Caadlawon (IC-Al Jubail) 31 points.
Other awards handed out during the tournament finale were: Best In Uniform Awards for InterContinental Al Khobar .
IC-Jubail GM Fahad Al Sayegh led the Organizing Committee.
This annual IHG Hotel basketball tournament enjoyed the support of the management of all participating hotels namely Jean Bou Mansour, GM Crowne Plaza Al Khobar; Luca De Stefano, GM IC- Al Ahsa; Fady Sawaya- Area GM IC- Al Khobar and Fahad Al Sayegh. Fun in the Sun and Al Zahid Martime are the sponsors.
Technical / Table Committee members are Reynante Pattung Ener Forque, Lito Sombilla and Joseph Ruiz.