RIYADH: Kudu and Barkadahan Disers arranged a best-of-three championship series showdown in the 3rd Kudu Challenge Cup for Inter-Company Non-Rated while Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers is effectively the waiting finalist in the 26th Annual Riyadh inter-hotel basketball tournament 2013 after it edged out Inter-Continental Hotel 77-75 in the semifinals at the Sheraton Riyadh rubberized court here.

The victory gave the host team a 2-0 card in the round robin semis and whatever the result in the Inter-Con-Ritz Carlton match Sheraton is assured of a spot in the finals. Sheraton’s last match is against 2011 champion Al Faisaliah Hotel. Inter-Con and defending champion Ritz Carlton, both at 1-1, face off in a knockout game this coming week.

Kudu enjoyed back-to-back victories against Almarai 92-76 and Western Union Enjaz 79-72 for a 2-0 record that was matched by the Disers after they brought down Almarai 94-88. Enjaz and Almarai, both winless in two games in the final four, play a knockout game for third and fourth position.

Coached by Jess Lumanog, Sheraton had a tough time without center Rodel Sangalang. InterCon had led in the first three but Sheraton boys didn’t lose hope and changed the tempo of the game with Erano “Juk” Campo rebounding with authority and shooting 99 percent from the free-throw line and Joseph Abad playing good defense against InterCon triggerman Kloyd Romera.

Sheraton managed to protect its two-point lead in the last 19 seconds of the final quarter on a basket by Jay-Ar de Guzman to preserve the victory.

While Sheraton was unbeaten in two games Faisaliah suffered consecutive losses during the week against Ritz Carlton 59-46 and InterCon 76-72

Barkadahan Disers continued its impressive campaign in Almarai team of Mike Alarcon and Anthony Esguerra 98-88.

This 2-in-1 tournament features the 3rd Kudu Challenge Cup for Inter-Company Non-Rated and the 26th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Basketball Tournament 2013. The tournament for the benefit of the children of UNICEF enjoys the generous support GM Paul C. Dunphy with the general managers of participating hotels and companies particularly the following sponsors who pledged support; Wael Maatouk of Ritz Carlton Hotel, Mostafa Hamadeh of Kudu, Andy F. Santos and Roland Cinco of China Banking-M. LHuiller, and Randy Assistin of Sizzler House.

The scores:

Sheraton Riyadh (77) J de Guzman 22, J. Campo 19, J. Abad 16, M. delos Reyes 11, Z. Soro 4, A. Concepcion 3

InterContinental (75) K. Romera 29, J. Apas 21, J. Corpous 14, D. Acharon 9 and M. Castillo 2

Refs: Majimbu, Upang Renosan, Mark Vainoza.

Disers (94) A. Cunanan 20, J. Palejo16, R. Ignacio 15, K. Valesa 9, J. Tarin 8, R. Montemayor 7, J. Claveria 6, L. Manalo 6, E. Pabelico 5, Z. Soliano 2.

Almarai (88) P. Domingo 20, N. Dolindo 20, E. de Leon 17, A. Aquino 17, R. Vinas 6, F. Oliveros 4, R. Quising 2, R. Coatauco 2

InterContinental (76) J. Apas 32, M. Castillo 13, D. Acharon 10, K. Romera 10, J. Corpus 8, L. dela Rama 3

Al Faisaliah (72) A. Zabala 26, M. Casubuan 16, N. Lauriaga 10, A. Coral 10, N. Salvador 6, C. Hall 2, J. Lopera 2

Kudu (92) R. Piodos 21, B. Fabila 18, M. Fabelo 15, D. Cac 14, F. Aguinaldo 11, B. Coronado 6, J. Casimero 4, J. Balicao 3

Almarai (76) N. Dolindo 21, E.de Leon 20, P. Domingo 19, A. Aquino 4, A. Avelino 4, M. Carpio 4, R. Vinas 2 and F. Oliveros 2