Siggiewi 69

A to Z Elec. Athleta 64

(19-16, 20-18, 11-13, 19-17)

Siggiewi have lived to fight another day. They managed to stop Athleta from imposing their style of play and remained close throughout the whole encounter.

The lead changed hands several times but it was Athleta who did most of the chasing. For Siggiewi it was the third that they managed to beat their opponents opposed to Athleta’s nine victories this season.

Siggiewi had Louis Camilleri abroad with young Adam Cutajar also absent. The champions were with their latest full squad.

After Athleta’s early lead, it was Marco Matijevic, with a brace of hoops, as Siggiewi went in front.

Athleta reacted and obtained an 8-4 advantage. Siggiewi came right back and an 8-2 run with hoops from Chris Meier took them ahead. The lead then changed hands twice before Peter Shoults netted a Siggiewi triple and they held on to their advantage till the end of the period.

In the second session, Siggiewi’s lead increased with a second Shoults trey but their newly acquired advantage was wiped away as the champions made up a 7-0 run with a brace of hoops from Dirk Schembri and an Omar Said triple.

Siggiewi bounced back to regain their lead with some more Meier points and later on it was Karl Borg who improved their lead with a triple in a 9-2 run. David Bugeja reacted for the champions with his trey but they were still 34-39 in arrears at the interval.

After the break, Athleta strove to get back quickly in front but Siggiewi held out for some time but a 9-2 run with Said points including a second triple pushed the champions into a slim advantage.

Siggiewi’s reaction was immediate and a second Karl Borg triple had them ahead once more. This lead was kept till the end of the period with Siggiewi 50-47 to the good. The champions did not take long to overturn the score but Eman Xuereb sank a trey for Siggiewi.

They lost their lead once more although a 7-2 run had them back in front. It was then Athleta’s turn with an 8-2 run to regain another advantage.

Their tally stopped there as Siggiewi scraped together a 7-0 run late in the match to force the third encounter also next Saturday along with the third match of the other semi final.

Siggiewi: R. Agius, 11 P. Shoults,  3 E. Xuereb,  L. Grima, 2 A. Borg, 6 K. Borg, 17  C. Meier, 2 C. Kodomaris, 28  M. Matijevic

Athleta: 8 M. Naudi,  I. Buldakov, 3 D. Bugeja, 14 M. Todorovic,  M. Giusti, 21 O. Said, 6 D. Schembri, 10 A. Bonnici,  K. Baldacchino, 2 S. Schembri

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Terribile

Depiro Mtarfa     69

Floriana Fr. Fenech     52

(11-15, 18-12, 19-17, 21-8)

When Greg Hamlin went out on fouls before the end of the third session, everybody thought that the writing was on the wall for Depiro. Everybody. that is. except the great-hearted Depiro Maltese lads.

They literally subdued Floriana in the remaining time denying them any reasonable approach to save the match. Now everything depends on the remaining rubber next Saturday when the finalists will be known from this encounter.

Both sides were at their respective strengths for this second playoff match.

Depiro made the better start with two Hamlin hoops in a 6-2 advantage. Floriana had Evan Fjeld from early on with his points as they grabbed a slim lead.

Roderick Vella reacted for Depiro with his triple but the Greens ended the session on a three basket spread finishing with a brace of Fjeld baskets as they went ahead for the second time.

In the next period Fjeld extended Floriana’s advantage but Depiro, despite Hamlin’s third foul, made up a solid 12-0 run with a Nigel Sultana trey and two more in quick succession from Adrian Micallef.

The Greens were stung into action and more Fjeld points and an Adrian Baldacchino triple had them on level terms. Depiro still pushed forward and they eked out another advantage.

Till the end of the period. Floriana obtained a couple of hoops but at the interval they were still trailing a basket behind at 27-29.

After the break. Floriana overturned the score twice but then Depiro retaliated with an 9-2 run and a second Vella trey. Floriana were coming back when Depiro had a slap in the face with Hamlin being fouled out.

The Greens promptly were level with an Ian Mercieca triple but Depiro replied with Sultana hoops in a three basket spread to lead 48-44 with a last session to be played.

Floriana were all over the place as Depiro pounded them mercilessly and built up a heavy 14-0 run ending with a flourish with triples from Sultana and two more from Vella.

The Greens were down and out although they tried to stage a comeback with an 8-2 run and a Chris Sammut trey.

They were still away behind and Depiro played out the remaining time and adding on their already impressive advantage to force the third and last game in a week’s time.

Depiro: 14  R. Vella, 1 JP Schembri, 13 N. Sultana, 2 A. Aquilina, 2 A. Portelli, 17 A.Micallef,  E. Lupo,  M. Mallia, 6 I. Tanti, 14  G. Hamlin

Floriana: J. Curmi,  5 C. Sammut, 3 I. Mercieca,  S. Sammut, 6 C. Calleja, 3 A. Baldacchino, 29 E. Fjeld, 4  A. Sultana, 2  M. Ciantar

Referees: A. Carbonaro, S. Gouder, C. Terribile