Fairmont, Vivienda, Ritz-Carlton go 2-0

BY JEBB CABRIANA

RIYADH — Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski Riyadh bounced back from its opening game loss against the champion Al-Faisaliah Hotel, 64-55, in the 2018 Hoteliers League Basketball Tournament here. The trio of Rommel Yalung, John Rey Belnas and Vincent Quinto did most of the work to get their first taste of victory against the struggling Holiday Inn Riyadh Meydan.

Holiday Inn suffered its second consecutive loss in spite of Fred Redulfin's stellar performance who also got ample support from colleagues Marneil Ocampo and Joseph Arandia. John Rey Belnas was named Fawri Money Transfer Services’ Player of the Game with 15 points, 2 steals, 2 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh’s second win was at the expense of none other than the defending champion Al-Faisaliah. Nicole Charlotte Browly commanded the game with an all-around performance of 21 points, 2 steals, 2 assists, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks enough for him to earn the Player of the Game plum. Ritz-Carlton didn’t beat Al-Faisaliah in last year’s season.

Meanwhile, it was a heartbreaking loss for the Al-Faisaliah Hotel team which was trailing prior to the second half. However, the team managed to get one point closer to the Ritz-Carlton end of the third canto and it was a see-saw battle until the end. Rey Eusebio led his team with 20 big points, while Niño Dela Cruz Lauriaga chipped in with 16 points of his own — all to a sorry loss.

Vivienda routed Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya to remain one of the teams on top of the standing with 2-0 slate. The former demolished the hot-starting Hyatt in the last two frames to ambush the victory and retain its clean record, 67-64. Leonil Lajato shone brightly for Vivienda with 23 points, 1 assist and 4 rebounds and was named Player of the Game. Jan Franco Rempillo and Jonathan Desabile added 9 points each.

It was another distressing loss for Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, a team still finding its groove to win. After unleashing 23 big points in the first quarter, Hyatt found itself in a difficult race to stop Vivienda as they were outscored from the second period straight on. Reymar Olivo was still the main gun for Hyatt with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block. Youness Tinebinal and Larman Tanael provided 12 and 11 points, respectively — all resulting to another close game loss.

Fairmont Riyadh dumped the host Sheraton Hotel in the second game, 92-83. Unlike its debut match against Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, Fairmont made sure that they won’t be catching up points this time with Sheraton as they even extended their comfortable lead upto 26 points finishing the third frame. The lead was good enough to withstand the 35 points blowout of Sheraton in the fourth canto. Jayson Tuano led all the 12 scorers from Fairmont with 21 points and was heralded Player of the Game. Fairmont joined the league leaders Ritz-Carlton and Vivienda with 2-0 record.

Meanwhile, Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers suffered its second defeat in spite of the paramount performance of Marvin Delos Reyes, Noli Moralit, Chairman Allan Delos Reyes and John Anthony Concepcion who contributed 27, 18, 17 and 15 points, respectively.

Scores:

Kempinski 64 — Yalung 16, Belnas 15, Quinto 13, Osonero 9, Saliganan 5, Cube 4, Javero 2, Recto 0, Toque 0, Helomina 0, Ator 0.

Holiday Inn 55 — Redulfin 19, Ocampo 15, Arandia 14, Perez 7, Herrera 0, Ayson 0, Bualat 0, Maycong 0, Diamante 0.

Quarters: 20-9; 39-23; 46-34; 64-55.

Ritz-Carlton 62 — Browly 21, Valenzuela 15, Samson 11, Reyes 5, Calago 4, Roque 3, Qanaq 3, Sales 0.

Al-Faisaliah 59 — Eusebio 20, Lauriaga 16, Ambrosio 6, Hall 4, Lopera C 3, Ibanez 3, Inigo 3, Marjes 2, Pineda 2, Lopera J 0, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 17-11; 31-26; 48-47; 62-59.

Vivienda 67 — Lajato 23, Rempillo 9, Desabile 9, Manalo 8, Francia 4, Alnas 4, Waban 3, Lat 3, Macuha 2, Punzalan 2, Mariano MA 0, Falible 0, Dimaunahan 0, Manila 0, Mariano M 0.

Hyatt 64 — Olivo 18, Tinebinal 12, Tanael 11, Delos Santos 9, Jimenez 5, Olavere 4, Cumeda 3, Belino 2.

Quarters: 9-23; 29-41; 48-51; 67-64.

Fairmont 92 — Tuano 21, Arcilla 9, Bangalan 9, Saniel 8, Yuzon III 8, San Andres 8, Gasillos 7, Dalusung 6, Dionido 6, Li 5, De Guzman 3, Acosta 2, Arguelles 0, Moralde 0.

Sheraton 83 — Delos Reyes M 27, Moralit 18, Delos Reyes A 17, Concepcion 15, Costales 3, Soriano 3, Dabu 0, Manuel 0, Gandawali 0, Giquing 0.

Quarters: 21-18; 47-33; 74-48; 92-83.

For instant updates, game schedules, photos and more about the 2018 Hoteliers League Riyadh’s Basketball Tournament, like its official fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hoteliersleagueriyadh.