RIYADH: Defending champion Al Faisaliah faced lightweight opponents and routinely beat them for back-to-back victories as it rebounded from an ego-deflating defeat by host InterContinental in the 28TH Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Basketball tournament 2015.

Al Faisaliah crushed Four Seasons 82-60 Monday to follow its 77-71 triumph over Kempinski to improve its record to 4-1 in the team standings.

InterCon remained the only unbeaten team in the fold, cruising to fourth straight victory against Ritz Carlton 62-61.

The week also saw Marriott Riyadh post consecutive wins, 72-57 against Marvin Magnaye’s Four Points by Sheraton Khaldia and 85-54 against Novotel.

In going 2-for-2 for the week, Faisaliah coach Gerry Donato took down one of the promising teams from Riyadh Inter-Hotels group. Kempinski’s magnificent five of Philip Macayayong, Damian Ramirez, Rizal Casunkad, Rommel Yalung, and ball handler Clyad Dacusin with support from John Rey Belnas, Vincent Quintos, Christopher Juson and Lawrence Silario took Faisaliah by surprise. The game was deadlock at 69 in the dying 1.05 of the last quarter when the experienced players of Al Faisaliah’s boys prevailed led by Nino Lauriaga, Erano Campo, Archie Zabala, Ryan Legaspi and Carlo Hall to seal the game 77-71.

With veteran Ed Manansala at the helm and supported by JR Gallardo, Erick Dalangin, Izie Agapay and Rey Banting, Marriott handily won against Novotel who fought gallantly behind diminutive Gilbert Corpuz, the play maker, Domingo Tambio, Albren Obdin, Rodolfo Geroy, Vincent Dorego, and Danny Empos.

Courtyard Marriott finally scored its first win after four defeats by beating Novotel 76-61.

Kempinski gained a split, blasting Novotel 71-57.

Selected scores:

AL FAISALIAH (77) A. Zabala 25, E. Campo 21, N. Lauriaga 10, R. Legaspi 8, C. Hall 5, H. Opianga 3, L. Garcia 3, R. Inigo 2.

KEMPINSKI (71) P. Macayayong 11, R. Casunkad 11, R. Yalung 10. C. Dacusin 10, D. Ramirez 9, V. Quintos 8, JR Belnas 6, C. Juson 2, E. Alfonso 2, D. Casunkad 2. Refs: Boy Dula, Christopher

RIYADH MARRIOTT (85) E. Dalangin 19, D. Attip 17, B. Quirante 11, I. Agapay 9, R. Banting 8, F. Redulfin 8, E. Manansala 5, JR Gallardo 4, M. Barcelona 3, V. Cesicar 1

NOVOTEL (54) A. Obdin 15, G. Corpuz 14, R. Geroy 13, V. Dorego 6, D. Empos 4 and D. Tambio 2.


INTERCONTINENTAL (62) J, Nunez 19, J. Apas 18, D. Cac 11, J. Corpuz 9, E. Labang 3, and P. Mendoza 2

RITZ CARLTON (61) C. Velenzuela 18, E. Mendoza 9, Chowking 9, C. Browly 8, J. Samson 8, J. Tulao 7, R. Jagonog 2 Refs: Nonoy Palic, George De Castro.

COURTYARD MARRIOTT (76) M. Narsoles 25, A. Villareal 18, P. Guevarra 13, J. Quinto 7, C. Suito 5, L. Mercedes 2, R. Salem 2, R. Del Carmen 2, L. Saladan 2.

NOVOTEL (61) A. Obdin 19, R. Geroy 17, G. Corpuz 9, D. Tambio 8, V. Dorego 4, D. Empos 2, J. Nazareno 2.

KEMPINSKI (71) R. Yalung 14, D. Ramirez 13, JR Belnas 7, D. Casuncad 6, D. Marjes 6, L. Silerio 5, P. Macayayong 4, R. Casuncad 4, E. Ordonia 4, C. Dacusin 4, C. Juason 3, E. Alfonso 1.

NOVOTEL (57) D. Tambio 22, R. Geroy 14, G. Corpuz 9, V. Dorego 6, O. Gerona 4, J. Nazareno 2.

Refs: Ernie Dela Cruz, Jason Tomas