BY JEBB CABRIANA

RIYADH — Sheraton finally notched its very first win this season against a disheartened Hyatt Regency, 97-94, in the 2018 Hoteliers League Riyadh Basketball Tournament here. Down 3 points after the third frame in spite of leading the game most of the time in the first half, the host hotel capitalized on its 35-point advantage against Hyatt’s 29 in the final verse.

Noli Moralit powered Sheraton with his personal-high 33 points supported by 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal to get the Fawri Money Transfer Services’ Player of the Game label. John Anthony Concepcion added 27 points, while the Delos Reyes brothers combined for 37 points.

The loss was Hyatt’s third consecutive closed setbacks. It lost to Fairmont with 2 points in its first game, 3 points against Vivienda in its second match and this time 3 points margin anew against the host hotel. Unlike the first two matches, Hyatt was a consistent captain of the game only to fall short in the finishing seconds. This match against Sheraton wasn’t far different as the Hyatt failed once more to close the game even if it had the chance.

Frederick Olavere led his team with a 23-point showing. Larman Tanael and Lincoln Delos Santos chipped in with 18 points each. Reymar Olivo, who top-scored in their first two assignments, finished with 16 points.

It’s 3-0 for The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh as it has beaten Vivienda in the battle for leadership, 81-67. Both teams had no defeat before their match-up until the lions roared and demolished Vivienda in both second and final frames. Ritz-Carlton outscored Vivienda in the second frame 29-8 to build a 21-point margin before the second half. Vivienda returned with 27-12 scoring advantage in the third canto but wasn’t able to sustain the powerful pack of Ritz-Carlton in the last stretch of the game.

The lanky baller Jeremiah Nick Calago powered the team with 17 points, 5 steals, 1 assist and 4 rebounds earning him the Fawri Money Transfer Services’ Player of the Game. Lou Reyes, Charles Valenzuela and Bryan Roque added 16, 15, and 11 points, respectively. Usual contributor Clarkton Browly suffered a minor injury resulting him to skip the game few minutes after his first quarter stint. Jeffrey Samson still managed to add 9 points but got injured late in the game.

Meanwhile, Christian Alnas led Vivienda with 24 big points and Jan Franco Rempillo chipped in with 18 points. The loss was Vivienda’s first of the season.

Scores:

Hyatt 94 — Olavere 23, Tanael 18, Delos Santos 18, Olivo 16, Monis 7, Jimenez 7, Cumeda 5, Roxas 0, Ugay 0.

Sheraton 97 — Moralit 33, Concepcion 27, Delos Reyes A 19, Delos Reyes M 18, Dabu 0, Manuel 0, Costales 0, Cineta 0.

Quarters: 18-25; 45-47; 65-62; 94-97.

Ritz-Carlton 81 — Calago 17, Reyes 16, Valenzuela 15, Roque 11, Samson 9, Trongcoso 9, Sales 4, Browly 0, Abalos 0, Regelisa 0.

Vivienda 67 — Alnas 24, Rempillo 18, Desabile 9, Lajoto 9, Manalo 6, Simon 1, Francia 0, Mariano M 0, Waban 0, Punzalan 0, Dimaunahan 0, Mariano MA 0, Macuba 0, Morales 0, Manila 0.

Quarters: 17-17; 46-25; 58-52; 81-67.