RIYADH, Sept. 5, 2000 – New comer Olaya Palace recorded their first win over Al Faisaliah while host Sheraton Towers surprised defending champion Marriott as the action continues in full swing at the 13^th Annual Riyadh Inter-hotels basketball tournament, the first part of the 3 in 1 Fila Millennium Challenge festival 2000, being hosted by Sheraton Riyadh hotel and towers.
It was a sweet victory for the Olaya Palace of Muhammed Ateeq with a comfortable score of 88-59 after having lost their first two encounters. They composed of mostly young blood led by Kram Marit, Juanito Payumo, Arthur Fernandez, Roger Navarro, Bodjec Dimaapi, Edwin Dela Cruz and Jeng Sumat. The towering heights of Morris Tiedeman and Buenaflor for Faisaliah was no factor as the winning side relied on their speed, mobility and fine team work.
Payumo was impressive with 31 points. Faisaliah boys of Manny Estrella did not fare well. Their Fontanilla and Anical recorded 12 points each and this was not enough to catch up.
Thomas Boesch, executive assistant manager of Sheraton was the happiest man when his team scored a surprise victory over the powerful Marriott by 86-74 in the second encounter on Thursday. The latter three times MVP, Tres Mondala was hardly a factor in the game. Muzzled by the pesky guarding of Bong Lagman and Rommel Carlos, he was limited only to 24 points with seven rebounds and seven errors. His teammate Ed Manansala triggered the first shot. The two rookies – Cris Acielo, a forward for the losers and Allan Barcelon, a point guard for the victors, showed their antics and were the stars of the match.
The well-coerced Sheraton boys coached by Jess Lumanog edged the rivals in the first half by the buzzer, beating Rene Delos Reyes for a 3-points shot that ended 36-29.
In the second half, the defending champions managed to equalize the score at 40. With three minutes of the second half, a timely time-out called by the rivals fizzled out the momentum of Marriott and fielded Bhoy Morales who made an impressive start from the word go. From here on, they made every shot a basket while on the other side swingman Mark Swing, Jovits Laygo and Leo Nebres lost their composure.
Even Rey Macapagal did not add any impact to the game as the trio of Rex Capati, Marvin Leyva and Rommel Carlos did most of the scoring for the winners in the pivotal period. Their cat-quick playmaker Barcelon pitched 10 points while Capati added 20 with seven rebounds, five steals and four assists.
Of the two encounters played on Friday, in the first, Intercontinental who were made to work hard in the first half, thanks to their star Neo Egamino, finally overcame Minhal Holiday Inn with 82-73 margin. Both the teams were deadlocked at 37-all at the end of the first half. It was only in the remaining 4.25 minutes that the endurance of Egamino, Neil Breslin, Javier Sanchez, Ayan Dibaratum, Robert Trillanes and Jhun Triunfo prevailed. The exit of Lagman and Salvador made the losers handicapped for the powerful play under goal rebound. When the final buzzer went, coach Quiling was full of joy as he saw his side recording the second win of the tourney.
In the last match, Al Khozama took no chances and set aside Riyadh Palace by 81-63. The game was tense from the start and the losing side saw portent of things to come when their top rebounder Teddy Natividad was slapped two fouls in the first half and rookie Ancel Roque also got his first foul.
Fighting to stay alive, coach Mario Hidalgo fielded Willy Manahan who joined the fray with Desnie Reyes, Rex Testado, Donnel Samaniego and Rodel Supan against their determined rivals led by Tony Astrologo, Alfredo Valencia, Jojo Bulan, Francis Aquino and Eugene Cuyong. The first half ended in a hairline lead for Khozama with 37-36 margin.
As what it appears to be anybody game from the start in the second half but the tide began to turn in favor of Khozama as the defense of the opponents weakened and their offense collapsed. Bulan and Aquino took advantage here and dominated the board to wrap up the proceedings.
The Fila Millennium Basketball Challenge 2000 is being sponsored by Sodas Sports – the sole distributor of Fila sportswear in the Kingdom courtesy of Mumen Al Garawi with support coming from Pepsi Cola and Power Horse Energy Drink. It is organized by Riyadh Inter-hotels Sports Committee.
According to the organizers, the registration for the Inter-company (Bonafide) and 6-feet & below category is still on. The tentative opening has now been postponed to Sept. 8.
Dallah Hospital, El Seif Engineering and Saudi Media have already confirmed joining the Inter-company (Bonafide). Of the others expected to join them are Al Azizia, Euromarche, Saudi Ericsson, Meeds company, Abdulrahman Al Gosaibi GTB, TFC and Afras Services. For the 6-feet and Below – Al Bustan, Pinoy Bake Shop and Quamban have sent in their entries.
Also, Friday Morning Club has been organized for those who are interested to play in the morning hours. For registration, call Carlos D. Ollero or Flor Almoite on 454-3300.

Summarized scores:

Olaya Palace (88) – J. Payumo 31, E. Dela Cruz 15, Kram 12, A. Fernandez 12, B. Dimaapi 6, R. Navarro 4, Pacson 4, G. Enteria 2, R. Sacare 2 beat Al Faisaliah (59) – T. Fontanilla 12, H. Anical 12, M. Buenaflor 10, F. Avillo 7, D. Balane 6, J. Manicani 2, M. Tiedeman 2, R. Quintanilla 2, Fernandes 2, L. Talledo 2, J. Estella 2. Referees – Art Cobalida, Ed Tamayo.

Intercontinental (82) – N. Egamino 26, A. Dibaratum 16, N. Breslin 14, A. Sanchez 10, E. Esplago 6, R. Trillanes 5, Joel Triunfo 3, Jhun Triunfo 2 beat Minhal Holiday Inn (73) – A. Lagman 21, C. Salvador 14, B. Bangug 11, M. Sta Maria 9, J. Dela Pena 6, W. Dula 4, A. Pagarungan 3 , J. Caranto 3, F. Farale 2. Referees – Ernie Dela Cruz, Muhammed Villamena.

Sheraton (86) – R. Capati 20, R. Carlos 16, M. Leyva 15, S. Lagman 12, A. Barcelon 10, R. Delos Reyes 7, L. Morales 6 beat Marriott (74) – T. Mondalla 24, C. Acielo 14, E. Manansala 12, J. Laygo 8, L. Nebres 6, M. Swing 5, R. Macapagal 5. Referees – Alex Sanchez, Nestor Carlos.