Siggiewi won an important encounter in the nether regions of the standings, and made a great step in making the playoffs, although there is still more than a round of matches to go. They outclassed Depiro, who flopped after their victory over Hamrun.
Siggiewi opening two hoops were quickly replied to by Depiro, but Siggiewi once more went in front, helped by a Steve Sammut trey, for a 13-8 lead. Depiro had a reply but they couldn’t over turn the score, and after the first session they were still just a point behind.
In the second quarter Siggiewi exploded with their treys, by Louis Camilleri and Steve Sammut, and their lead went up to a 31-20 score. Free shots helped Depiro to get within range again, but Siggiewi had Peter Shoults with his trey and free throws, and a 9-0 run shot them into a comfortable lead. They kept it till the end of the session on a 42028 score.
After the break Depiro were still unable to make any impact as Siggiewi’s high velocity game was faster then theirs. They had their treys but Siggiewi’s all-round game was enough to push them decisively more in front. With tow laid treys Siggiewi nearly repeated their second session score, and with a quarter to go, they were firmly in the driving seat with a 65-40 score.
The last session lost most of its interest with the match already won and lost. When Siggiewi increased their lead yet again, all their bench players went on court and Depiro took the opportunity to make hoops of their own in an 11-0 run, but they were still too distant and Siggiewi could calmly strole through the last stages of the game, for their third league win and recovered from their drubbing against the champions two days before.
Siggiewi: 22, Steve Sammut, 15, Peter Scoults
Depiro: 22 Don Ross, 10 David Agius
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut
The champions recorded yet another win over Luxol, their third this season to consolidate their top placing. They were nearly always on the lead and in the latter part of the game they didn’t give Luxol any occasion to get within reach and foil their plans for a further win.
Luxol had Beppe Micallef Trigona back, after missing the last game and likewise Hamrun recovered David Camilleri. The match started off on an even keel, with both sides exchanging leads, but when Luxol were 8-5 ahead, it was Liberty who emerged with a 10-0 run, with hoops from five different players. Luxol stopped the run, but Hamrun added on to their score till the end of the session.
The second quarter saw Luxol’s revival. After conceding an early hoop the violets then made a 9-0 run, starting with a Chris Sammut trey, and getting to within a point, at 20-21. Hamrun recovered and opened up their lead again. Luxol’s reply came through free throws but Karl Borg sank a trey for Liberty, and further free shots from him made it a double-figure lead. Till the interval Luxol came back again and Hamrun went in at half time on a 34-29 advantage.
After the break Luxol fell further behind again as Hamrun’s pressure bore fruit. The Reds went into double figures again in their lead, as Luxol strove to get within range once more. They didn’t make any headway and after three sessions the champions were enjoying a 51-42 advantage.
The last quarter found Liberty improving on their lead and getting to a 56-43 advantage. Luxol tried to get to grips and save the match as the time started winding down, but Liberty closed down their ranks and replied to every Luxol initiative to deny their opponents any chance of recovery.
Luxol: 22, Steve Schembri, 11, Chris Sammut
Hamrun: 18, Albert Spiteri, 15, Omar said, 13, Jide Jetson
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara
Standings: 13 Hamrun L. Go Mobile (6-1), 11 Pembroke (4-3), 11 Siggiewi Smina (3-5), 10 Luxol Bupa (3-4), 9 Depiro Kyocera (2-5)