Bupa Luxol 74

Siggiewi Smina 78

(11-14)(9-25)(22-15)(21-9)(11-15)

Luxol must be bitterly disappointed, especially after their grand recovery, in the game’s last two sessions, in not being able to inflict the first defeat on Siggiewi this season, in four matches. They had to pull back a seven point deficit from their previous encounter, and they surmounted an imposing arrears situation, to force extra time, but also lost their lifeblood on fouls. The Violets finally had to bow out of the competition, but with their heads held high. Siggiewi seemed to be strolling through, but when it came to the crunch they were jittery, and very nearly shot themselves in the foot with their fast, aimless play. They only regained their composure in overtime, after David Camilleri’s crucial free shots and trey.

Siggiewi had JP Azzopardi on the injured list, but Louis Camilleri made his return, after missing three games, only to pull up again, with his old injury, in the second session.

Both sides missed their opening shots, and nearly three minutes had to pass before Siggiewi opened their account, on a 5-0 run. Luxol slowly started to find their feet, but they were still in arrears. Near the end of the quarter the Violets went right back, sinking in a couple of treys, through Azzopardi and Sammut, and the match was open again.

Siggiewi started the second quarter on a high note, marking up a 20-11 lead. Luxol’s reply was inadequate, and Siggiewi could build up a 13-2 break and enjoyed a strong 39-20 advantage at the halfway stage.

Sammut opened up the third session for Luxol with a trey and hoop, but Addison Bonnici made a couple of baskets for Siggiewi. Luxol had to press, and with Chris Sammut prodding them on, they made an 8-1 run. After three sessions it was Siggiewi, on a 54-42 score.

Fully three minutes passed before Luxol could get nearer again, and with Siggiewi visibly becoming edgy, an 11-0 run,tied the score at 56-56. Siggiewi just hung on as the lead changed hands three times. Jide Jetson’s close range effort tied the score again for Luxol, and the match went into overtime.

Camilleri went on fire for Siggiewi, and his free shots and trey took his side clear again, at 73-65. Players were going out on fouls, as Luxol, aided by a Dalli trey, went close once more. They tried for a further extra period, but this time they failed, and Siggiewi finally could see their way through to the final, against Sliema.

LUXOL: 30 C. Sammut, 3 M. Mercieca, 17 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, T. Paris, 3 A. Bianchi, K. Pulis, 4 R. Dalli, 4 D. Schembri, 2 E. Caruana Montaldo, 6 J. Jetson, 5 S. Schembri

SIGGIEWI: 10 A. Spiteri, L. Camilleri, 23 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 11 A. Portelli, I. Mercieca, 10 P. Shoults, JP Bonnici, 11 A. Bonnici, 13 S. Sammut, A. Huizer. E. Xuereb

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Jean Paul Sammut

Standings: 23 Dakar Sliema, 22 Siggiewi Smina, 18 Bupa Luxol

Relegation Pool

Floriana 71

Qormi KIa 66

(20-16)(23-19)(21-17)(7-14)

Floriana achieved what they set out to do. They overhauled Qormi in the standings, and ended their commitments. They now await the result of the last match, when Qormi face Depiro, to see if they will keep their status in the top division, next season. Floriana played their hearts out, and, except for the brief, opening few minutes, they were always in front, and made Qormi do the chasing. The latter only played in fits and starts, and never really got going in a match which could have proved their salvation. They were found wanting, and their late rally was, in fact, too late.

In the second session points were even more plentiful. Floriana began by increasing their advantage, to a double figure lead, at 26-16 and at the halfway stage Floriana could rest on a 43-35 lead.

After the break Floriana still held on and in the late stages it was Qormi who recuperated somewhat, as they ended the session 64-52 behind.

Floriana experienced difficulty in obtaining points in the last session, but Qormi could only reply through free shots, as players were very tense and succumbed to go down dismally to the bottom rung of the standings.

FLORIANA: R. Spiteri, 12 N. Falzon, J. Paris, 10 A. Sultana, 5 B. riolo, 10 K. Borg, 7 G. Gilson, B. Grech, G. Gauci Grech, 27 D. Ros

QORMI: 1 W. Grixti, 2 A. Grech, 10 K. Scicluna, D. Camilleri, 7 A. Camilleri, J. Sant, 21 R. Formosa, J. Dalli, R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 11 S. Cauchi, 14 A. Baldacchino

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Standings: 18 Depiro (-1), 15 Floriana, 14 Qormi Kia (-1)