By JEBB CABRIANA

RIYADH – The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh opened the maiden Hoteliers League Riyadh’s Basketball Tournament on a high note posting back-to-back wins while Al Faisaliah Hotel and Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski clinched their first win of the season.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh found itself in a close encounter with the familiar faces of Riyadh Marriott Hotel, winning its first game at 55-52. Riyadh Marriott even outscored its opponents in the last two quarters but Ritz-Carlton proved tougher on defense and held on to their first half cushion to win by a wafer-thin margin. Charles Bryan Valenzuela finished the game with 21 points.

The second game featured a match-up between Al Faisaliah Hotel and Sheraton Riyadh with the former lambasting the latter by 22 points, 72-50, to kick-off its campaign with a bang. The two contested tightly in the first half until Al Faisaliah found its rhythm to finish the third canto with 24 points, enough to distance itself from a struggling Sheraton. Nino Lauriaga posted 13 points to lead Al Faisaliah.

Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski and Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh opened the second game day with Kempinski winning the battle at 60-47. Clayd Ducusin impressed with his all-around performance posting 21 big points to lead Kempinski to a winning start. Nover Obrar too had 21 points for Four Seasons but in a losing cause.

Rounding off the opening Saturday game week was The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh’s second game winner against Movenpick Hotel Riyadh. Ritz-Carlton’s confidence coming off from an opening win was too much for Movenpick to control as the latter succumbed to an 87-37 final score. Three Ritz players posted double figures with Nicole Charlotte Browly cited as the best player for his 16 markers finish, followed by Charles Valenzuela, 13 points and Jeffrey Samson, 11 points.

STANDING: Ritz-Carlton 2-0, Al Faisaliah 1-0, Kempinski 1-0, Hyatt 0-0, Marriott 0-1, Sheraton 0-1, Four Seasons 0-1, Movenpick 0-1

For instant updates, game schedules, photos and more about the Hoteliers League Riyadh’s 1st Basketball Tournament, like its official fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hoteliersleagueriyadh.