RIYADH: Basketball excitement is back at the heart of Riyadh with 9 leading hotels in the city participating at the 28th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels basketball tournament 2015 which starts Friday.
Hosted by Riyadh InterContinental Hotel through the generosity of General Manager Tariq Dowider and full support of Ibrahim Al Malki, the assembly time for the tournament grand opening is at 4 p.m. Highlighting the opening day is the parade of the 9 teams as follows: Al Faisaliah Hotel, Courtyard Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia, Four Seasons, Intercontinental Hotel, Burj Rafal Kempinski, Riyadh Marriott, Novotel Al Anoud and Ritz Carlton Riyadh.
Playing days are Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. FCBR headed by Ernie Dela Cruz and Mohamed Villamena and with a 28-year association with Inter-Hotels Sports Committee chaired by Caloy D. Ollero will handle the tournament officiating. Entrance to the InterContinental staff basketball court is at Gate # 6.
Lineups:
Al Faisaliah — Archie Zabala, Jason Lopera, Ranel Lumahang, Erano “Juk” Campo, Bryan Ambrosio, Dave Ybanez, Lester Garcia, Japeth Ipil, Ryan Legaspi, Raymund Inigo, Nino Lauriaga, Hermie Ofianga, Ryan Pangan, Carlo Hall, Reynaldo Eusebio; Coach Gerry Donato, Assistant Coaches: Francisco Balanquit / Hector Anical / Joel Mendiola, Team Manager Ayman Saber
Courtyard Marriott — Charito Suitos, John Patrick Guevarra, Leo Dela Cruz, Leonides Mercedes, Dan Allan Villareal, Melchor Narzoles, Jose Albert Penaflor, Jeezrel Quintos, Erwin Naguit, Roderick Bechayda, Rowell Del Carmen, Richie Salem, Erlen De La Cruz, Jose Leo Saladen; Coach Leonides Mercedez; Team Manager Fernand Baul
Four Seasons Hotel — Jaybee Mabutas, Ian Palanca, Ralph Tiangco, Ernesto Romano, Nover Obrar
Angelo Puno, Rolan Arligue, Rex Tuca, Ehman Mones, Mohammed Abdelaziz, Dexter, Art Belderol, Paul Marigza, Jason Flores, Dennis Florendo, Nawaf, Gigi Regala, Mubaraki, Coach Chef Gregson Cabel, Asst. Coach Ernesto Romano,
Team Manager Jose Ricaplaza
Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia — Rolan Quirante, Joshua De Villa, Krist Zulueta, Jayson Nedroda, Roberto Castronuevo, Aldrin Sunico, Kent Zulueta, Mark Sunga, Jose Distura, Erick Ellica, Rommel Gustilo, Roberto Barcelona, Alvin Callanta, Michael Yagong, Dennis Siasat, Marcel Reyno, Satar Mayuan, Joey Beltran; Coach Sonny Castaneda, Team Manager Marvin Magnaye, Team Consultant Joy Maglapit
InterContinental Riyadh — Jaylord Apas, James Corpuz, Laurence Acharon, Mac Castillo, Don Simeon Sudhara , Jeric Triunfo, Elo Labang, Junel Penaroya, Rose Sabejon, Patrick Mendoza, Darius Cac, Kloyd Romera, Bonifacio Ramos, Mark Balderol, Reinerio Nunez, Rocielo Ociones; Coach Renato Mendoza, Assistant Coaches Marvin Mendoza / Romy Brubio, Team Manager Ibrahim Al Malki, Team Coordinator Alvin Buot.
Burj Rafal Kempinski — Ed Alfonso, Lawrence Silerio, Philip Macayayong, Rommel Yalung, Damian Ramirez, Dexter Marjes, Dexter Reyes, Vincent Quinto, Clayd Ducusin, John Rey Belnas, Dennis Casuncad, Christopher Juason, Erwin Helomina, Erwin Calamba, Ernesto Ordonio, Rizal Casunkad, Coach Joevette Belnas, Team Coordinator: Lawrence Silerio
Riyadh Marriott Hotel — Saleh Al Jamiel, Dudz Attip, Bryan Quirante, Izie Agapay, Noor Bantao, Freddie
Redulfin, Eric Dalangin, Mark Bersalona, Ed Manansala, Jr Gallardo, Romano Bautista, Victor Cesicar, Rey Banting, Joey Ferrer, Edward Cordovez, Coach: Rey Macapagal, Asst. Coaches: Edwin Turbanos / Mark Swing / Louie Fresnido
In Active Player: Carlo Tiolengco (Injured), Team Manager: Mukthar Jumani.
Burj Rafal Kempinski — Ed Alfonso, Lawrence Silerio, Philip Macayayong, Rommel Yalung, Damian Ramirez, Dexter Marjes, Dexter Reyes, Vincent Quinto, Clayd Ducusin, John Rey Belnas, Dennis Casuncad, Christopher Juason, Erwin Helomina, Erwin Calamba, Ernesto Ordonio, Rizal Casunkad; Coach Joevette Belnas, Team Coordinator Lawrence Silerio
Novotel Al Anoud Riyadh — Rodolfo JR Geroy, Jessie Ed Bosalio, Oliver Orobina Gerona, Dan Banis Empos, Jhon Angelo Nazareno, Roel Guimary, Gilbert Tuliao Corpuz, Julious Pol Soronio, Francisco Mapa Carrascal, Vincent Duremdes Dorego, Jerome Isdac, Domingo Tambio, Simeon Bucca, Esmael Mandalbos, Marvin Climaco, Renz Lacerna, Elmer cariaga, Albren Obdin; Coach Mohamed, Asst. Coach Roel Guimary, Team Manager Mohamed Hameem
Ritz Carlton Riyadh — Edmond Mendoza, Charles Browly, Jaypee Tulao, Muneef Mousa, Chowking Yee, Mark Onofre, Elyzah Guarin, JC Rocamora, MC Kevin Guardacasa, Christian Laguardia, John Carlo Reyes, Jayvee Agarao, Jeffrey Samson, Rommel Jagonob, Miguel San Diego, Charles Valenzuela; Coach Chow King, Asst. Coach Jeff Suberon, Team Manager Amr Gado, Asst. Manager Faye Batica, Consultant Sowry Ransagamy
28th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels basketball tournament opens today
28th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels basketball tournament opens today
Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah fall behind in title race as points dropped against Al-Fateh
- The Knights of the East move onto 44 points after 1-1 draw, six behind leaders Al-Hilal
- Julian Quiñones nets 18th goal of the season to move second in goal rankings
RIYADH: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli will breathe a sigh of relief after Al-Fateh held Al-Qadsiah to a 1-1 draw at the culmination of Matchday 21 in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Qadsiah now sit three points adrift of Al-Ahli, five behind Al-Nassr and six behind Al-Hilal.
Al-Fateh, who continue to rise up the table after a difficult start to the season, entered the encounter with a set of changes made by José Manuel Gomes. Looking to counter Brendan Rodgers’ 5-3-2, the visitors set up in a similar formation, with Sofiane Bendebka operating higher up the pitch to press Julian Weigl.
The match began at a frantic pace, with two goals arriving in quick succession. Al-Qadsiah’s right flank has continued to be a target for opposition sides, with the space behind Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat exposing Jehad Thekri to repeated one-on-one situations.
Naif Masoud dribbled his way into the box before releasing Wesley Delgado down his left. The Cape Verde international squared for Matías Vargas, who finished with precision past Koen Casteels in the eighth minute.
Shortly after, Al-Qadsiah made their way back into the game. While Abu Al-Shamat’s marauding runs can leave space for opposition wingers, his attacking contributions remain a vital part of Al-Qadsiah’s play. A through ball from a tight angle found Julian Quiñones, who finished to equalize and make his 14th goal contribution in 10 games.
Despite the quick response, Al-Qadsiah struggled to find a way back into the game. Fernando Pacheco stood firm in Al-Fateh’s goal, making four saves on the night, as the hosts fired 19 attempts across the 90 minutes.
A final attempt for Al-Qadsiah came in the closing moments of the game, when Nacho found space inside the box, only for Al-Fateh’s defense to close him down and deny a clear shot at goal.
Brendan Rodgers remains unbeaten since taking charge at Al-Qadsiah, as the Northern Irishman led Al-Qadsiah to eight victories and three draws in his 11 matches at the helm. They face NEOM next in a bid to revitalize their title charge.
Elsewhere, surprise package of the season Al-Taawoun continued a difficult run of form, dropping points in a 1-1 draw to Al-Khaleej. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood completed the double over Al-Shabab, with Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa once again proving decisive by scoring a 78th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory.
The Saudi Pro League takes its first five-day break since the league’s return from hiatus in December, with Matchday 22 getting underway on Thursday. As the title race tightens, Al-Ahli travel to Riyadh to face Al-Shabab, while Al-Hilal host Al-Ettifaq on Friday. Al-Nassr conclude the round on Saturday as they make their way to Al-Hasa to face Al-Fateh.
