Qormi finally made it in the fourth playoff final, in front of a numerous, noisy crowd. Suns tried their best, but once again they had to settle as beaten finalists, the same as last season, against Mosta.
Suns had Reno Camilleri out injured on the bench, and his presence was felt throughout the match.
They took the first lead, with Albert Borg sinking a trey, but then Qormi took over, and a long 13-0 run, with Simon Cauchi's trey, pushed them in front.
Suns recovered at the end, and Vince Spiteri put in a trey, but right at the final second Nello Xuereb, fresh from the bench, made a glorious trey from quite a distance. Qormi came out for the second session with a stirring Simon Cauchi trey, for the numerous Qormi supporters, band and all. Roberto Formosa delivered the goods for Suns, cutting down the deficit, but Suns had too many guns, and a further trey by Adrian Baldacchino increased their advantage once again. At the interval Qormi were holding a 35-19 lead.
After the break Suns came out with a will. Led by Roberto Formosa they made a 10-2 opening break, with an Albert Borg trey, to open up the match again.
Points then became scarcer, as Qormi held on to their lead, with two late hoops, for a 43-31 score after three sessions. In the final quarter, after a flurry of free throws for Suns, as they climbed nearer, Qormi settled down to restore their lead.
Play then became stale, with both sides failing to find a way to basket. Vince Spiteri's trey gave Suns some hope, but they failed too many free shots. Qormi could hold on, but Mark Schembri,s trey made it closer still.
It was not enough, as Qormi kept possession, were fouled, and made their free shots, to steer clear at the end, and celebrate their first championship, along with the Shield and K.O. already won.
After the match Mag. Antonio Mizzi, the MBA president, presented the victorious Qormi team with the championship trophy.
Qormi: 13 Jason Dalli, 12 Simon Cauchi, 19 Keith Scicluna
Suns: 15 Roberto Formosa
Referees: Gordon barbara, Stephen Micallef