RIYADH: The 28TH Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Basketball Tournament 2015 sponsored by Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers and hosted by Riyadh InterContinental Hotel entered its 7th week in which Novotel finally ended a five-game losing streak by beating Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia 70-55 and Ritz Carlton dumped Al Faisaliah 67-57 in a clash of heavyweights.

Novotel captained by Domingo Tambio and bannered by Gilbert Corpuz, Rodolfo Geroy, Vincent Dorego and rebounder Aldrin Obdin with support from Danny Empos and Francisco Carrascal took the measure of Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia which was unable to cope with the running game applied by the young and energetic Novotel rookies who won a first-ever victory in three straight years of participation in the tournament with full support from Novotel management.

At the onset, Faisaliah boys were controlling the game against Ritz Carlton, 17-9 in the first quarter and 35-30 in the second quarter. Ritz Carlton coach Romy Tadeo reshuffled his team putting twin towers Charles Browly and Chowling Yee alongside Edmon Mendoza, Charles Valenzuel and play maker Romel Jaconob so that the complexion of the game changed with Ritz Carlton ahead to end the 3rd quarter 54-51.

Al Faisaliah boys never recovered after that and the elimination hoodoo continued in which they never won against Ritz Carlton. To compound its woes Faisaliah lost Ryan Legaspi and Erano Campo to injuries in the second half.

It was the fifth win in six games for Ritz Carlton which along with unbeaten InterCon (7-0) looks a cinch to make the semifinal round of the 9-team tournament.

InterContinental boys coached by Renato Mendoza won their 6th and 7th straight wins against Courtyard Marriott 96-62 and Four Seasons 71-51 while Riyadh Marriott survived the aggressive challenge by Four Points by Sheraton to score a 78-75 triumph.

The Riyadh Marriott vs. Four Points was not that close as the score suggested with leads of 27-6, 49-15 and 64-46 to Marriott. Four Points main man Alvin Callanta arrived late and was only able to start in the 3rd quarter. At the start of the 4th quarter five deadlocks were recorded until the last 48 seconds, the score at 75-all and Four Points in possession.

Doubled teamed by Marriott Joshua de Villa had the ball snatched by Dudz Attip who dashed for a quick basket giving Marriott a 77-75 spread. JR Gallardo grabbed the offensive rebound with a foul and split his charities with .01 second to preserve the win for Mariott (5-4).

Kempinski, meantime, kept alive its hopes for one of four semifinal berths with a decisive 66-54 victory over Four Points by Sheraton. The win gave Kempinski an even 3-3 record, right behind Faisaliah (4-2) .

Selected scores:

NOVOTEL (70) R. Geroy 19, D. Tambio 18, G. Corpuz 17, V. Dorego 7, A. Obdin 4, D. Empos 3, F. Carrascal 2

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON (55) R. Gustillo 25, A. Callanta 10, K. Zulueta 9, J. Nedrosa 7, J. de Villa 2 and R. Quirante 2.

Refs: Ernie dela Cruz and Leo Pumar.

RITZ CARLTON (67) E. Mendoza 17, C. Browly 13, J. Tulao 11, C. Valenzuela 7, R. Jaconob 7, Chowking 5, M. Onofre 2, J. Samson 2, M. San Diego 2, J. Guarin 1.

AL FAISALIAH (57) E. Campo 17, R. Legaspi 11, N. Lauriaga 10, A. Zabala 9, C. Hall 7, H. Ofianga 2, J. Lopera 1

INTERCONTINENTAL (96) D. Cac 21, J. Apas 21, C. Ociones 8, J. Penaroya 8, P. Mendoza 7, J. Corpuz 6, B. Ramos 5, R. Sabejon 5, DS Shudara 4, M. Balderol 3, L. dela Rama 2, E. Labang 2, J. Triunfo 2, Renato Mendoza 2.

COURTYARD MARRIOTT (62) A. Villareal 22, C. Narsoles 12, P. Guevarra 9, C. Suitos 7, R. Salem 6, J. Saladen 6.

Refs: Max Macatangay and Jay-Ar Oragasin