Sigiewi Smina 81
Depiro 66
(16-8)(18-12)(22-17)(25-29)
Siggiewi were the first team to go into the Shield final, although Depiro proved to be worthy opponents, despite the score against them. It was a lively match, and Depiro made up for Siggiewi's experience with their vigour and exhuberance. Some good personal performances on both sides enhanced the match.
Siggiewi recovered Albert Spiteri, injured in the last game, but Peter Shoults and Steve Sammut were missing. Antoine Costa made his first appearance this season, for Depiro, as he was injured at the start of the season.
Depiro started on a personal defence, but Siggiewi found space to open up an 8-2 lead, with Abraham Portelli accurate in his shooting. Depiro relied on Roderick Vella's free shots to keep in the game. Siggiewi's shooting went down late in the session, but David Camilleri nailed in the game's first trey, as Siggiewi held on to their lead.
In the second quarter Siggiewi kept command, and their free shots enabled them to have a better lead. Depiro's reaction had to come, but despite their fast game they were well marshalled by a disciplined Siggiewi side. Michael Barberi sank a trey, for a 27-12 advantage, as Siggiewi's bench players were on court. Roderick Vella's free throws kept Depiro hovering near, until the last minute, when Siggiewi struck again, and a last-second Barberi trey made it a 34-20 match at the interval.
After the break David Camilleri promptly put in a trey, but Roderick Vella, playing a blinder, replied with two hoops for Depiro. Louis Camilleri came off the bench for Siggiewi, and did likewise. Depiro were fully 25-45 in arrears as Vella sank a trey for them. Siggiewi had Louis Camilleri in fine form, and he kept his side's lead constant till the end of the session. Score at 56-37.
Siggiewi's subs were out in force again for the final quarter, but they met a resurgent Depiro, fighting for every ball. A 9-2 run gave Siggiewi some room for thought, and their regular players went forward for a 63-46 lead. Costa made his first trey for Depiro, but Siggiewi made sure with a 9-0 run, even though there was still time. Depiro finished with a flurry, but Siggiewi were never in any trouble.
Siggiewi: 5 A. Spiteri, 17 L. Camilleri, 11 D. Camilleri, 2 J. Doughty, 7 A. Portelli, 9 M. Barberi, JP Bonnici, 14 A. Bonnici, 9 A. Huizer, 7 E. Xuereb
Depiro: 30 R. Vella, C. Cassar, M. Sammut, G. Muscat, A. Aquilina, 11 A. Tabone, M. Ciantar, 2 I. Tanti, 3 E. Lupo, 9 A. Costa, 6 M. Mallia, 5 D. Agius
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani
Bupa Luxol 58
Sliema Wanderers 67
(11-24)(16-13)(20-16)(11-14)
Sliema overcame a difficult hurdle, to advance to the Shield final, where they will meet Siggiewi, for the second time this season. They looked to have a good hold on the match, but Luxol, as is their wont, came back solidly, to get near enough, but not quite, and Sliema coasted home at the end, and inflict the first defeat on Luxol this season.
This game saw the return of Kevin Decesare, this time at the helm of Luxol. Sliema had a dream opening. Kristin Baldacchino helped his side to pile up the points, and his trey gave Sliema a 12-0 lead. Luxol got going at last, but they had their work cut out, as Sliema still held on to their advantage. A series of free shots kept the gap constant till the end of the session, with a double-figure lead.
In the second session Luxol had some road to make up, but for all their best intentions Sliema held firm. Alternative points at both ends saw Sliema enjoying their previous advantage for most of the quarter. Then in the last minute, after an Omar Said trey had shaken Luxol, it was the latter's Robert Azzopardi who stood up, and his trey and steal in the last seconds inched his team nearer, although still down, at 27-37.
The situation changed after the interval. Sliema began by increasing their lead again, but this time Luxol had a reply, and a brace of hoops by Steve Schembri and a couple of treys by Robert Azzopardi made it a closer match, at 39-43.
Mike Naudi also sank a trey for Sliema, and this stopped Luxol's incursions. Sliema went into double figures momentarily, but Luxol came close again. Score at 53-47 after three sessions.
In the final quarter Sliema edged forward, only for Dirk Schembri to pot the necessary points, and keep the Violets in the hunt. After some stalemate both sides had their moments, with Luxol striving to overcome their deficit. hey couldn't make it Sliema had Mike Naudi with two late baskets to ease their minds.
Luxol: 4 C. Sammut, 5 M. Mercieca, 20 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, A. Borg, M. Portera, C. Pulis, 13 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 4 J. Jetson, 12 S. Schembri
Sliema: 19 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 2 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, 3 T. Riolo, 9 O. Said, 13 A. Micallef, D. Cuschieri, 12 K. Baldacchino, 9 S. Cassar, J. Gatt
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani