Sliema managed to end the first phase in the top position, after beating Siggiewi in an exciting match, which produced diverse flashes of individual and team play. It could have gone either way, but Sliema surmounted a difficult situation, with the loss of Michael Naudi, and had that extra bit of confidence at the end. They now edge Siggiewi in direct encounters this season, three games to two.
Siggiewi were still without Addison Bonnici, but they recovered Anthony Huizer, after missing seven matches, through a long injury.
Straight from the start David Camilleri put in a hoop. Sliema fell further behind, at 4-8, but Etienne Bezzina sank a trey, as the Blues twice came back, to a point down. Siggiewi's reaction was a 6-0 run, with a Louis Camilleri trey. Asthe session came to an end Sliema returned with a Duncan Cuschieri trey, but Siggiewi held on to their lead.
In the second quarter Sliema came out in a determined mood, and a strong 10-1 run, with an Omar Said trey, overturned the result.
Siggiewi recovered sufficiently, and they battled back to a 26-26 tie. After falling behind again Siggiewi took the lead, with a 30-27 score, but it was Sliema with the better ending, only to be stunned by Davis Camilleri's late surge, including a last second trey. At the interval Sliema were just ahead, at 36-35.
After the break Siggiewi fell further behind, but rallied with a Peter Shoults trey, and even went in front. Sliema got stuck in, and a good 10-0 run, started with an Omar Said trey, gave them a 49-40 advantage.
When Sliema seemed to be in command they lost MIchael Naudi, on fouls, and Siggiewi's free shots brought them back in the game. Sliema were rattled and Abraham Portelli's points put Siggiewi in the lead, at 54-52, after three sessions.
In the final quarter Sliema surprised their opponents, with an emphatic opening. A 9-0 run, with a third Omar Said trey, had Siggiewi chasing again. They did manage to get to within a hoop, with a second david Camilleri trey, but Silvio Cassar put in points as if his life depended on it. He kept his side in front as the game was coming to a close. Siggiewi's efforts to stop the clock only resulted in Sliema opening their lead, to make the game safe in the final minute.
Siggiewi: 7 A. Spiteri, 11 L. Camilleri, 20 D. Camilleri, 2 J. Doughty, 12 A. Portelli, JP Azzopardi, 8 P. Shoults, 6 JP Bonnici, S. Sammut, M. Shoults, A. Huizer, E. Xuereb
Sliema: 10 M. Naudi, A. Southward, C. Calleja, 18 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, T. Vella, 21 O. Said, 7 A. Micallef, 7 D. Cuschieri, K. Baldacchino, 10 S. Cassar, 3 J. gatt
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro
Depiro 60
Qormi Kia 45
(13-18)(12-9)(16-13)(19-5)
Depiro survived a strong Qormi challenge, and avenged their first round defeat, to start the second phase on a good note, in front of the other two teams. Qormi's efforts were commendable, but they had to succumb at the end, to Depiro's blistering pace, which continued till the final session, when Qormi began to falter.
Depiro made the first couple of hoops, but Qormi rallied well, and after drawing level, they went ahead with a Simon Cauchi trey.
Depiro replied with an Emanuel Lupo trey, but they were still trailing at the end of the quarter, as Cauchi put in a second trey, besides further points, for a Qormi advantage.
In the second session Depiro showed better promise, and an 8-0 run, aided by a David Agius trey, put them in front, at 21-19.
Qormi fell behind twice more, and the game was close enough between the two sides. Near the end of the quarter a couple of hoops turned the score around, and it was Qormi leading 27-25 at the interval.
After the break Qormi were still holding sway, and a Wayne Grixti trey extended their lead.
Depiro settled down, and some all-round play produced a 9-2 run, and a 36-34 lead. Qormi came back with a Roberto Formosa trey, and then the two sides battled out a 40-40 tie till the final minute.
A Clint Cassar free shot for Depiro divided the two teams, as they led 41-40, with a session to go.
Depiro's staying power was in evidence, as Qormi felt the brunt of their opponents' fast play, as Roderick Vella led his team.
A 13-0 run, with a second Emanuel Lupo trey, took them clear at last, on a 56-42 score.
Qormi were hit hard, and coach, Alfred Mifsud, changed the whole side on court, but the damage had been done. Depiro could control the rest of the match, to emerge winners.
Depiro: 7 R. Vella, 9 C. Cassar, M. Sammut, 2 G. Muscat, 3 A. Aquilina, 8 A. Tabone, M. Mallia, B. Zammit, 15 E. Lupo, I. Tanti, 15 D. Agius
Qormi: 9 W. Grixti, 10 A. Grech, 4 K. Scicluna, J. Sant, A. Camilleri, S. Farrugia, 10 R. Formosa, J. Dalli, R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 9 C. Cauchi, 3 A. Baldacchino
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef
Phase 1 - Final Placings
19 Dakar Sliema (9-1)
18 Siggiewi Smina (8-2)
16 Bupa Luxol (6-4)
Championship Pool - Points carried from the first Phase
14 Depiro (4-6)
12 Qormi Kia (2-8)
11 Floriana (1-9)
Relegation Pool - Points carried from the first Phase