Siggiewi Smina 88

Dakar Sliema 90

(after overtime)

(17-20)(22-16)(18-25)(19-15) - (12-14)

Sliema had to dig into their deepest resources to fend off a determined Siggiewi challenge, to win their sixth league title. It was heartbreaking for Siggiewi, to see their wholehearted efforts throughout the match, and into overtime, being dashed to the ground. It was a thrilling match, played in front of the season's biggest crowd, in this last day of the season. Sliema had to fight back to go into overtime, and then had to steel themselves to ward off Siggiewi's last fanatical possession, as the latter tried to extend the season by another week, for the third deciding match, which just eluded them.

Siggiewi had Albert Spiteri suspended, JP Azzopardi injured and Louis Camilleri just a spectator on the subs bench, but still turned on a five star performance. Sliema were without the suspended Adrian Micallef, and showed all their worth of experience to land the league title.

David Camilleri's trey for Siggiewi overturned Sliema's first hoop, but the latter replied with an 8-2 run, to lead 10-6. Later on another 7-0 run, ending with an Omar Said trey, extended their advantage. Siggiewi's reply went on till the end of the quarter, despite another Duncan Cuschieri trey for Sliema , but it was Siggiewi ending on a 9-3 run, and going close again.

In the second quarter Siggiewi's determination earned them a gutsy 10-0 run.

Sliema finally hit back, but Addison Bonnici had done enough damage. Sliema were relentless, however, and an 8-0 run gave them a lead. Siggiewi reacted late in the session, and in the very last second Steve Sammut put in a total of five free throws, for a 39-36 Siggiewi lead at the interval.

After the break Sliema took little time to forge ahead, but Siggiewi struck back, and a 9-3 run, with treys by Peter Shoults and Anthony Huizer, but also a trey by Sliema's Etienne Bezzina, pushed Siggiewi in front. Sliema's reply was a 7-2 run, to tie the score at 50-50. Siggiewi briefly went ahead, but suffered three hoops in succession, only for David Camilleri to restore their lead, with his thrid trey. Till the end of the quarter Sliema went in front again, to lead 61-57, after three sessions.

Sliema kept hold of their lead as the minutes ticked away in the last quarter, and Siggiewi could only reply to Sliema's points.

Halfway through the session it was a 67-61 score. Siggiewi gritted their teeth, and came back with treys by Steve Sammut and Abraham Portelli, to contrast Bezzina's second trey for Sliema. Siggiewi went in front but free throws for Sliema took the game into overtime.

Sliema had a good opening in the extra period, with Michael Naudi's trey, as Kristinn Baldacchino suddenly found his form, as his trey and points helped in a 9-2 run.

Siggiewi found the will to tie at 87-87, with Shoults' second trey, only for Michael Naudi to sink a hoop and subsequent free shot.

Steve Sammut's free shot came too late as Sliema grabbed hold of the last possession, to claim the title, and leave Siggiewi in despair.

After the match Gatotade's General Manager, Alison Schembri presented the champions with their trophies.

SIGGIEWI: 13 S. Sammut, 16 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 13 A. Portelli, I. Mercieca, 10 P. Shoults, 2 JP Bonnici, 27 A. Bonnici, 7 A. Huizer, E. Xuereb

SLIEMA: 20 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 14 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, 4 T. Riolo, 21 O. Said, A. Southward, 7 D. Cuschieri, 10 K. Baldacchino, 13 S. Cassar, J. Gatt

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro