Dakar Sliema 92

BUPA Luxol 93

(24-11)(25-30)(17-23)(26-29)

In the highest scoring match of the season, so far, and a game which kept everyone on tenterhooks till the end, Luxol kept their hopes alive for a place in the final. Sliema are already assured of a final appearance, but it is between Siggiewi and Luxol for the second spot to be filled.

This was only Luxol’s second victory over Sliema in eight outings this season, and they made a good recovery from a troubled first quarter. They crept slowly back in each of the remaining sessions, and delivered the telling blow seconds from time.

Sliema had a strong start, with a 10-3 run, and a Steve Schembri trey for Luxol. The Violets cut down on their deficit, but Sliema took the game in hand again, and a 12-2 run, and an Omar Said trey, went on till the end of the session, for a double figure lead, as Said and Michael Naudi led the charge in the opening quarter.

The second session opened with a flurry of treys at either end, with Said, Duncan Cuschieri and Jeffrey Gatt for Sliema, and Robert Azzopardi’s two treys opened his account for Luxol. The Violets then held sway for some time, and a good 11-0 run, with a third Azzopardi trey, opened up the match. Sliema replied with more treys of their own, this time from Julian Galea and two more from Cuschieri. Dirk Schembri was putting his shots in for Luxol, but at the end of the session Sliema still held a 49-41 advantage, going into lemon time.

After the break Sliema managed to add on to their lead, going into double figures again. Luxol slowly came back once more, and a Chris Sammut trey and a further 9-3 run with Steve Schembri’s second trey, made it a closer match once more. Sliema had Michael Naudi making his points, including a trey, but Luxol still went nearer, and after three sessions it was only a slight 66-64 lead for Sliema.

The last quarter was chockful of points. Luxol tied the score, only for Sliema to produce a 10-2 run, with a further Cuschieri trey. Luxol had to force the game, and two more treys by Azzopardi gave them hope. The last minute started with Sliema 90-81 in front, but a Steve Schembri trey pushed the Violets forward. They stopped the clock several times, and with Sliema failing from the free throw line, it was Azzopardi to the fore, with his points, and a fifth trey. Sliema managed a single free shot, but in the last seconds hoops by Azzopardi and Steve Schembri sealed a gritty win for Luxol, as they now sharpen their nails for their crucial encounter against Siggiewi.

SLIEMA: 20 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 2 C. Calleja, E. Bezzina, 4 J. Galea, 2 T. Riolo, 22 O. Said, 10 A. Micallef, 16 D. Cuschieri, 6 K. Baldacchino, 7 S. Cassar, 3 J. Gatt

LUXOL: 9 C. Sammut, 8 M. Mercieca, 28 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, T. Paris, 2 A. Bianchi, K. Pulis, R. Dalli, 15 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, J. Jetson, 31 S. Schembri

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef

Standings: 23 Dakar Sliema, 20 Siggiewi Smina (-1), 18 Bupa Luxol

Relegation Pool

Depiro 75

Floriana 65

(21-9)(22-19)(10-13)(22-24)

Depiro set their minds at rest, and next season they will still be playing in the top division. Floriana are still fighting for their survival, as are Qormi, who have to play two games to Floriana’s remaining one. Depiro seemed to have the game wrapped up at the interval, but the Greens came back solidly, and were only a point down in the last quarter, only to let the initiative pass back into Depiro’s grateful hands, and climb out of the relegation mire.

Floriana had their tall player, Roderick Mifsud, abroad in this important match.

Depiro’s first points, through Roderick Vella, had a reply from Floriana. The Greens also made a trey by Karl Borg, to go 7-8 down, but Depiro then took the match in hand till the rest of the session, building up a good 13-1 run, as Clint Cassar finished off his team’s promptings, and did the most damage to Floriana’s rearguard, and Depiro went clear of their adversaries.

In the second quarter Depiro went on increasing their lead, but Adrian Sultana stopped them with a succession of points, as Floriana pulled back to a 15-25 score.

Depiro’s reply was effective enough, with a 9-0 run, before Floriana could reorganise themselves. The Greens could only manage to share the play, as Depiro held on to their lead, with Roderick Vella also sinking a trey. In the last seconds of the session Don Ross also put in a trey. At the interval it was Depiro, on a 43-28 advantage.

After the break Floriana played better, and treys by Noel Falzon and Karl Borg’s second long one, helped the Greens to draw nearer. Depiro recovered near the end of the quarter, but their two hoops saw an instant reply from Floriana, for a 53-41 score, with a session to go.

Don Ross brought Floriana back in the last quarter, as his trio of treys, in a 10-2 personal run jolted Depiro.

Karl Borg’s third trey reduced the arrears to a single point, at 54-55. Depiro managed to stem the flow of play, and a 10-3 run gave them back their confidence.

Don Ross was still sinking in his treys and hoops, but Depiro were holding on, and Floriana’s accent on attack left them open at the back, and Depiro could go clear again, and finish the match on a top note.

DEPIRO: 21 R. Vella, B. Zammit, 2 M. Sammut, G. Muscat, 4 A. Aquilina, 9 A. Tabone, 9 M. Mallia, 18 C. Cassar, 6 E. Lupo, A. Costa, I. Tanti, 6 D. Agius

FLORIANA: R. Spiteri, 8 N. Falzon, 2 J. Paris, 10 A. Sultana, 1 B. Riolo, 9 K. Borg, 2 G. Gilson, 2 G. Gauci Grech, 31 D. Ross

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile

Standings: 20 Depiro, 14 Qormi Kia (-1), 13 Floriana