Host team InterContinental Riyadh Hotel put an early dampener in the campaign by Al Faisaliah Hotel to retain its title by winning their tense match Saturday 90-88 in the 28th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Basketball Tournament 2015 at the newly refurbished court on Gate 10 of InterCon.

There were 11 deadlocks in the contest in which the Faisaliah boys had trouble matching up the strong offensive game of the hosts despite leading the first two quarters at 24-21 and 42-39.

In the ensuing 3rd quarter, Lady Luck was on the side of Intercon, which took charge at 67-66 behind the collective effort of James Corpuz, Patrick Mendoza, Jhun Nunez, Cielo Ociones, Jaylord Apas and returning Darius Cac, who led all scorers with 31 points.

The match intensity boiled over to the point referees Danny Puno and Christopher Tapia had to call a 5 minutes break before the start of the 4th quarter.

Main man Erano Campo with Archie Zabala, Ryan Legaspi, Dave Yvanes and Nino Lauriaga gave it their best shot for Faisaliah only for the team to get frustrated after Campo fouled out along with Lauriaga and Inigo with 2:33 left to play.

The result left InterCon, a 64-57 winner over Kempinski on opening day, at 3-0 counting its 94-59 demolition of Four Points and Faisaliah, which defeated Riyadh Marriott 65-53, at 2-1 following a 77-53 blowout of Novotel earlier in the week.

In the other second week matches, Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia defeated Four Seasons in another thrilling game 84-82 while Ritz Carlton posted its second straight win against Kempinski 69-61.

Riyadh Marriott overcome the challenge of Courtyard Marriott in another up and down battle 65-63.

The scores:

INTERCONTINENTAL (90) D. Cac 31, J. J. Nunes 20, J. Apas 17, P. Mendoza 10, D. Acharon 5, C. Ociones 4, J. Corpuz 3

AL FAISALIAH (88) E. Campo 23, A. Zabala 18, R. Legaspi 18, D. Yvanes 9, N. Lauriaga 7, R. Inigo 6, J. Lopera 4, C. Hall 3

Refs.: Danny Puno, Christopher Tapia

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON KHALDIA (84) M. Sunga 26, R. Gustillo 25, M. Yagong 20, J. Nedroda 6, J. De Villa 3, D. Castranuevo 2, J. Distura 2

FOUR SEASONS (82) N. Obrar 16, A. Balderol 15, I. Palanca 11, J. Mabutas 9, A. Puno 6, A. Mubaraqi 5, R. Tuca 5, N. Mubaraqi 4, D. Florendo 4, J. Flores 3, D. Ladera 2, E. Romano 2

RITZ CARLTON (69) C. Valenzuela 16, C. Browly 15, E. Mendoza 8, M. Onofre 6, J. Tulao 5, R. Jogonob 5, K. Guarddacasa 5, Chowking 5, J. Samson 3, JC Reyes 1

KEMPINSKI (61) P. Macayayong 21, D. Ramirez 13, D. Marjes 6, JR Belnas 5, E. Alfonso 4, C. Dacusin 3, C. Juson 3, R. Casuncad 3, L. Silario 3

Refs.: Leo Pumar, Danny Puno

RIYADH MARRIOTT (65) E. Dalangin 16, JR . Gallardo 10, D. Attip 10, B. Quirante 8, F. Redulfin 7, E. Manansala 5, R. Banting 5, R. Bautista 2, I. Agpay 1, V. Cesicar 1

COURTYARD MARRIOTT (63) C. Narcoles 22, D. Villareal 15, J. Guevarra 12, L. Mercedes 5, C. Suitos 5, R. Salem 2, R. Del Carmen 1, J. Quinro 1.

Refs: Edmon Lacson, Albert Dola