As expected, Siggiewi had too many guns against Floriana, and they abled on into the semis, also registering a double over the Greens, after a win in the league’s first round. Floriana played their open game, also conscious of the fact that they will meet the same opponents at the weekend, at the start of the second round in the league.

Siggiewi had a changed side for this match. Albert Spiteri, David Camilleri and Anthony Huizer were all injured, and Peter Shoults was suspended, after his sending off last Sunday. Steve Sammut made a welcome return, having played only in some Shield games, and Matthew Shoults was present, after missing the last game. A couple of youngsters, Lee Grech and Daniel Gilson, were also roped in, even getting among the scorers.

Siggiewi went into a slick 8-0 lead, as JP Azzopardi sank his first trey.

Floriana’s reaction also brought a trey, by Gauci Grech, but only after a second Azzopardi trey. Siggiewi went on another long run, this time a 12-2 one, swinging the ball around till the end of the session, as Floriana were left trailing.

In the second quarter Louis Camilleri’s impeccable shooting continued to

increase Siggiewi’s lead, and coach, Alex Farrugia, put in his substitutes. Gauci Grech and Don Ross kept Floriana’s flag flying, but Siggiewi were in command. Steve Sammut had a profitable time on court, and John Doughty sank a trey, as Siggiewi finished on a 10-2 run, for a comfortable 43-16 advantage at the interval.

Siggiewi’s bench players were still on court after the break, but Floriana were more cautious this time. Adrian Sultana put in a couple of hoops, against his ex-team, to annul Matthew Shoults’ points for Siggiewi.

Floriana’s efforts to draw near were thwarted by Siggiewi, as they replied to every Green hoop till the end of the session, for a 57-31 lead, with a quarter to go.

Floriana managed a 9-2 run at the start, with a Don Ross trey. Siggiewi’s reaction was enough to keep a safe distance between the teams, as their players netted the necessary points.

It was Floriana who forced the game in the latter stages, as Gauci Grech sank his second trey, to close down the score.

Siggiewi: 2 D. Gilson, 12 L. Camilleri, 11 S. Sammut, 5 J. Doughty, 12 A. Portelli, 6 L. Grech, 2 L. Grech, 6 JP Azzopardi, 8 JP Bonnici, 6 A. Bonnici, 4 M. Shoults, M. Pajic, 2 E. Xuereb

Floriana: R. Spiteri, 2 N. Falzon, J. Paris, 5 A. Sultana, 4 B. Riolo, V. Torbarov, 2 G. Gilson, 7 R. Mifsud, 14 G. Gauci Grech, 15 D. Ross

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

* * *

Depiro 67

Bupa Luxol 91

(14-16)(18-25)(14-22)(21-28)

Luxol vented their frustration at the unexpected defeat they suffered at the hands of Depiro, a couple of weeks ago, as they dominated the game this time around, to stroll into the semis, along with Siggiewi, and the two sides, Sliema and Qormi, who were given a bye. It was only for a brief period in the second session, that Depiro threatened Luxol, but the Violets made sure in the last two sessions.

Depiro had Norbert Borg in lieu of missing coach, Adrian Mifsud, on the bench. Luxol made a good opening, with a 9-2 run, as Steve Schembri put in a trey. Depiro had Emanuel Lupo making their first points, but they were still trailing, late in the session. A combination of fast breaks and close-range shooting helped Depiro to a session ending 7-0 run, as they went to just a hoop down.

An Alan Borg trey for Luxol, at the start of the second quarter, gave them a better lead, but Depiro, still led by Lupo, went to within a point, at 20-21. Chris Sammut went on court for Luxol, after missing the game against Floriana, as Depiro tied the score. Sammut and Dirk Schembri combined in a 9-0 run, and Luxol went clear, but Depiro came back, after a Clint Cassar trey, to cut down the deficit. A three point play by Steve Schembri gave the Violets a 41-32 lead at the interval.

After the break Depiro started to fall further behind, as the Schembri brothers were accurate in their shooting, and Luxol’s lead was stretching further. An Alan Borg trey helped matters more, and both sides then sank treys, with a double from Antoine Costa, but Chris Sammut obtained enough points, as Luxol ended the third quarter on a good 63-46 advantage.

In the last session Alan Borg’s third trey stamped Luxol’s authority on court, despite Depiro’s fast forays, which went on till the very end of the match. Play opened up as the result left no doubt. The Violets always had the measure of their opponents, as treys went in at both ends. Luxol had more space to play in, as they made an 11-0 run, to enhance their commanding lead. Depiro ended the match with a couple of treys, by David Agius and Roderick Vella, but it was Luxol who made it three wins out of four games against Depiro this season.

Depiro: 11 R. Vella, 3 C. Cassar, 2 M. Sammut, 2 G. Muscat, A. Aquilina, 8 A. Tabone, M. Mallia, B. Zammit, 14 E. Lupo, 13 A. Costa, I. Tanti, 14 D. Agius

Luxol: 21 C. Sammut, 2 M. Mercieca, 9 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, 14 A. Borg, M. Portera, C. Pulis, R. Dalli, 23 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 6 J. Jetson, 16 S. Schembri

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Emanuel Mangani

BOV KO semi-final draws

The draws for the BOV Knock-Out semi-finals will be drawn today at 12.30pm at the Bank of Valletta Head Office in Fleur de Lys. This is the first time that such draws are being held at the sponsors’ office.