BY JEBB CABRIANA

RIYADH — With the elimination round nearing its end, Vivienda posted a dominating win against Fairmont and also recorded the league-high scoring output with 108 points against the 82 markers of the latter.

It was a close first half encounter between the two teams eyeing a solo lead until Vivienda widened its advantage to 24 points before the start of the final frame. Leonil Lajato led Vivienda in scoring with 29 points on top of 2 assists, 2 rebounds and a block making him the Fawri’s Player of the Game. Four more players delivered in double figures such as Christian Alnas, Jan Franco Rempillo, Jonathan Desabile and Daniel Manalo with 22, 19, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

On the other hand, Fairmont suffered its second loss in spite of a spectacular performance of their main man Jayson Tuano who posted 37 points, the highest in the league by a player since Holiday Inn’s Freddie Redulfin fired 36 points during its opening game against Ritz-Carlton. The loss instantly dropped Fairmont to number sixth position while Vivienda’s win solidified its hold to number one spot.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh joined Vivienda on top of the standings by outlasting the host Sheraton in another lopsided game, 98-78. Ritz-Carlton has dominated Sheraton from start to finish even without playmaker Jeffrey Samson due to injury. It also helped that the former outrebounded the latter with 55 big recovery compared to the opponent’s 38. Emad Qanaq has been great on the defensive side posting 13 rebounds alone. Jeremiah Nick Calago once again topped the scoreboard for the Ritz-Carlton with a personal-high 31 points, 1 assist and 8 rebounds and was named Fawri’s Player of the Game. Julius Abalos, Lou Reyes, Clarkton Browly and Raymond Trongcoso added 15, 10, 10 and 10 markers, respectively.

Sheraton now has four losses out of five games with a sure ticket to advance to the next round provided it wins its last two games. Marvin Delos Reyes and Noli Moralit led the team with 27 and 25 points contribution.

Scores:

Vivienda 108 — Lajato 29, Alnas 22, Rempillo 19, Desabile 12, Manalo 11, Lat 7, Mariano M 4, Simon 2, Morales 2, Mariano MA 0, Punzalan 0, Dimaunahan 0.

Fairmont 82 — Tuano 37, Bangalan 10, Yuzon 9, San Andres 5, Dalusung 5, Arcilla 4, De Guzman 4, Gasillos 4, Arguelles 2, Saniel 2, Moralde 0, Dionido 0, Acosta 0.

Quarters: 23-24; 50-43; 81-57; 108-82.

Ritz-Carlton 98 — Calago 31, Abalos 15, Reyes 10, Browly 10, Trongcoso 10, Valenzuela 8, Sales 8, Roque 6, Qanaq 0.

Sheraton 78 — Delos Reyes M 27, Moralit 25, Delos Reyes A 13, Gajo 6, Concepcion 5, Costales 2, Cineta 0, Dabu 0.

Quarters: 27-21; 50-37; 69-53; 98-78.