RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, November 14, 2000 – In the game two of the best
of three championship round for the 13th annual Riyadh Inter Hotels crown,
Sheraton Towers beat Al Khozama by 80-65 not only to drew level but also taking the battle
to the deciding third game at the 3 in 1 Fila Millennium Basketball Challenge festival
2000, being hosted by Sheraton Riyadh hotel and towers.
It was a sweet revenge as Sheraton lost the first game by a narrow margin last week. With
Rex Capati, Rommel Carlos, Rene Delos Reyes, Marvin Leyva and Allan Barcelon at the
forefront of the team’s torrid assault, Sheraton Towers boys slowly but surely pulled
away from the tight, tense-filled first half in pulsating the match in the presence of the
Al Khozama top brass headed by Hussein Hatala, the general manager.
A swirling run in the early part of the second half touched off Sheraton’s decisive
breakaway that left the opponents cagers gasping for breath as Carlos torched the hoops
relentlessly with Bong Lagman providing the needed muscle under goal like a wounded tiger.
Carlos top scored with 19 points while Capati got 18 and Leyva 17. All players fielded in
by coach Jess Lumanog scored one point or more in a brilliant show of power in this
thrilling clash.
The second week of the semifinal rounds of the Inter Company category saw NaRS (men in
nursing) pipped Saudi Media 84-79 and Olaya Palace beat Dallah hospital 86-72.
This time Ligan made it for NaRs second win, converting 25 points with power play. He was
well supported by Suspene, Bertulfo, Acierto and Navales. Peneda was in his top form,
getting 20-points for Saudi Media. Their stiff resistance saw first half ending 41-40 in
favor of the victors. This gave them confidence in the second half but the aggressiveness
and strong determination of NaRS thwarted all odds for their winning.
laya pushed back Dallah in their second encounter. Payumo and Dela Cruz put them on the
upper hand from the start to the finish. It was a fine display of power play by Abellana,
Kram, Bugay, A. Pineda and R. Navarro. The losers did put up strong offense through big
boy Carlos with 19 points and Lhito Medes 14-points but this was not enough to stop the
Olaya Palace.
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. |
