Ritz Carlton, Marriott Riyadh, Al Faisaliah post victories

A 69-50 victory by Ritz Carlton over Makarim Riyadh, a slim win by Marriott Riyadh against Sheraton and a second straight triumph by defending champion Al Faisaliah marked week 2 action in the 25th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels basketball tournament at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel rubberized court here.
Ritz Carlton a debutant at Inter-Hotels and with all-rookie players except for Clarkton Browly scored its first win while handing another newcomer Makarim Riyadh its second consecutive defeat.
Makarim trio of Damian Ramirez, Freddie Redulfin and the strong rebounding of Dexter Marjes gave the team a slim 13-9 lead in the first quarter but Ritz Carlton boys slowly but surely wrested the initiative behind the strong performances of Browly, Chowking Yee, Marvin Gabao, Leonardo Choco, Dencio Barnachea and Juniver Manalo to win with plenty to spare.
Sheraton boys of coach Jess Lumanog was in control all the way through the third quarter against Marriott of Leo Valencia anchored by Anthony “Tiny” Concepcion, Thomas Frias, Marvin Casubuan, Jay-R de Guzman, Cris Tan, Allan Delos Reyes and Joney Calibo.
At the start of the fourth quarter Marriott boys gave a strong resistance and engaged Sheraton in a seesaw battle. After the trio of Alfie Musa, Ronel Baldivia and Attip Alykhan gave Marriott a hairline lead of 64-63 with 27 seconds to play Musa stole the ball from Anthony Concepcion and scooted home for a basket that preserved a 66-63 win for Marriott.
After its victory over Makarim Riyadh last Friday Ritz Carlton returned to the court with full energy challenging the defending champions in a close game that registered 14 deadlocks. In the end the experience of Faisaliah carried the team to an 83-75 triumph.
Though the game was close Faisaliah was in control from the second quarter. Mitchell Compomanes was the leading scorer with 31 points as Al Faisaliah posted its second staight win. The defeat gave Ritz Carlton a 1-2 win-loss record.
To show support Faisaliah’s top management attended Sunday’s match, headed by Erik Steinbock, managing director for Al Faisaliah and Al Khozama, Alex Pichel, general manager of Al Faisaliah, and Ayman Saber, team manager.
The tournament for the benefit of the children of UNICEF enjoys the generous support of Paul C. Dunphy, Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers GM and Sizzler House through Randy Assistin.
The scores:
Ritz Carlton (69) C. Browly 16, C. Yee 14, M. Gabao 12, L. Choco 8, D. Barnachea 6, J. Manalo 6, I. Guarin 5, J. Tulao 2
Makarim Riyadh (50) D. Ramirez 13, F. Redulfin 13, O. Benolerao 9, D. Marjes 7, V. Cesicar 3, P. Macayayong 2, J. Malabanan 2 L. Herrera 1
Refs: Raul Caluracan, Cris Raculay
Marriott Riyadh (66) A. Alykhan 17, A. Musa 13, R. Baldevia 7, J. Dela Cruz 6, Y Al Najjar 5, R. Naval 5, E. Silva 4, J. Gallardo 3, R. Antonio 2, R. Sagmit 2, C. Suito 2
Sheraton Riyadh (63) A. Concepcion 20, T. Frias 13, M. Casubuan 10, J-R. De Guzman 9, C. Tan 6, A. Delos Reyes 3, J. Calibo 2
Al Faisaliah (83) M. Campomanes 31, A. Zabala 13, N. Lauriaga 10, J. Lopera 9, N. Salvador 7. C. Hall 5, A. Coral 3, B. Ambrosio 3, R. Bracero 2
Ritz Carlton (75) C. Browly 20, C. Yee 15, D. Barnachea 12, M. Gabao 11, J. Tulao 8, L. Choco 7, J. Manalo 2