RIYADH, Nov. 7, 2000 – Al Khozama despite losing to Marriott and the
host Sheraton Towers made to the best-of-three final round in the Inter hotel division at
the 3 in 1 Fila Millennium Basketball Challenge festival 2000, being hosted by Sheraton
Riyadh hotel and towers.
Khozama started well as Francis Aquino two successive shots in the early part of the first
half and with the support of Jojo Bulan, Gerry Donato, Eugene Cuyong and Leo Bautista
almost made it. However, this was not to be as the fine-tuning of Marriott’s squad
comprising of Mark Swing, Jovit Laygo, Ed Manansala, Cris Acielo and Tres Mondala clicked
for a marginal advantage at the last tick of the first half, which ended 42-38. At the
resumption, Khozama defense collapsed, allowing Manansala, Acielo and Mondala to score
easily for Marriott to clinch the match by 94-86 but went out of the final round on triple
tie points system, said the organizers.
For Sheraton Towers, it was a do or die situation, for a win against Intercontinental line
up of Neo Egamino will see them through to the best of three showdowns with Khozama for
the prestigious Inter Hotels division crown. And the fans were not to be disappointed, as
they fought a spirited ball game to end on a winning note by 78-73. At the end of the
first half, the victorious Sheraton led by 44-27. Both the coaches applied their best
tactics and strategies.
Egamino, Robert Trillanes, Ayan Dibaratum, Adrian Roble and Javier Sanchez of Intercon
blasted their way for an 8-0 run without any retaliation from the rivals as the second
half began. Sensing trouble, coach Jess Lumanog called for a time out and reshuffled his
players, bringing in Bong Lagman in place of Rex Capati. This changed the tempo of the
game as the Intercon bogged down in passing errors. Here, the victors picked up again,
dishing out shots after shots. Both sides brought about another change of players to bring
harmony to the team play. In the remaining last two minutes saw the losers cut down the 17
points lead to just two. Allan Barcelon and Capati were more aggressive. In the dying
seconds, they fished out a foul for a charity shots that made the difference.
Inter Company Division: Olaya Palace hotel continues to delight for the race to the
title in this division. First, they beat NaRS (men in nursing) by 89-86 and then went on
to defeat Dallah hospital by a score of 83-79. The Dallah squad restored some prestige
later on as they also down NaRS and won easily by 95-79.
Against NaRS, Mark Sulit popularly known as Karam fired the first salvo for Olaya Palace.
Their Edwin Dela Cruz, Bojdic Dimaapi, Roger Navarro and Gilbert Enteria continued the
onslaught. The losers playing with Julius Suspene, Rey Balisi, Henry Bertulfo, Victor
Yabut and Soccor managed to get even and gave the victors a hard fight before going down
in the elimination round. Despite Ligan 21 points, Olaya ended the first half on 44-34.
NaRs played decisively with fine support from Serrano, Arnel Paule, Acierto and Noel
Evangelista, all of whom offered stiff resistance in the second half in a thrilling
ding-dong battle. But in the remaining fifty seconds, Juanito Payumo with assists from
Cruz and Dimaapi, stole the ball for the last buzzer-beating basket that made the
difference in favor of Olaya boys of M. A. Ateeq. This win strengthen their hold as the
No. 1 team contender in the semifinal round.
Of the Dallah and NaRS showdown, the former trounced the opponents. In the first half, the
men in nursing of Ruth Cordero and coached by Noel Santos, played with full excitement and
strategies. The first half ended for Dallah at 49-44. At the resumption, the score was
locked several times but the reshuffling paid off by the Dallah coach Fred Lachica.
Fielding of Carlos, Gomes made the difference. They coordinated a winning combination with
Medes, Yap and Tomeldan. The heights and strong defense of the rivals could not even
control the agility and swiftness of Buboy Tinaes who ended with high game score of 30.
The 3-in-1 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, Philippine Airlines and Power Horse Energy Drink. It
is organized by Riyadh Inter-hotels Sports Committee.
It is fully backed by Thomas Boesch, executive assistant manager with patronage of Michael
Wegner, general manager of the hotel. The management believes that by providing and
supporting the staff sports activities, Sheraton also helps and develops awareness of
friendship and camaraderie as well as entertainment among the expatriate workers not only
in the hotel industry but also to other companies in the surrounding communities. |
