The final result hung in the balance till nearly the end of the match, before Bupa could set their minds at rest, of a place in the final, where they will meet Compleet IS SW for the second time this season. Siggiewi had their chances, on a par with Bupa, but they needed to be concentrated till match end. There were some good individual scores at both ends, and the inclusion of Matthew Bonnici proved providential to Bupa, as his play co-incided with a crucial part of the match. All in all it was a game worthy of a final, but Compleet will surely contest that.
Addison Bonnici returned for Siggiewi, after his sojourn abroad, and he was a key figure of their game.
Luois Camilleri put in three points for Siggiewi at the start, but then Dirk Schembri proved to be quite a handful to the Siggiewi defence, as Bupa, ably marshalled by Alan Borg, surged forward to an 8-2 run. Abraham Portelli collected a couple of hoops for Siggiewi, before Schembri struck again, to extend Bupa’s lead. Peter Shoults sank a trey to push Siggiewi forward, but they were still in arrears after the opening session.
Tight marking was the order of the day, as Siggiewi crawled back, through Louis Camilleri, within reach, at 19-22. Bupa replied with treys by Steve Schembri and Robert Azzopardi, but Addison Bonnici worked hard under the boards for Siggiewi, as they kept chasing their opponents. Bupa were just in front, as a Louis Camilleri trey kept the score close. Bupa were leading 40-38 at the interval.
Bupa opened up after the break, and an Al;an Borg trey increased their lead. Siggiewi’s reply was immediate, and a 12-3 run, with an Addison Bonnici trey turned the score, although in between was another Borg trey. Bupa regained the advantage but went behind again, despite a second Azzopardi trey. After three sessions it was Siggiewi on a tight 62-60 score.
The last quarter had more to offer, as Bupa were chasing, and with Matijevic, with fouls. When Siggiewi seemed in control a further brace of treys by Azzopardi gave the Violets a 68-66 lead. Siggiewi tied the score, but Matthew Bonnici came off the bench for Bupa, stole balls and drilled a trey. Bupa kept their lead till the bitter end, as Siggiewi desperately went in search of a win. Their final efforts were thwarted by Bupa free shots, as they made the second final berth their own.
Siggiewi: B. Zammit, 21 L. Camilleri, 4 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 8 A. Portelli, I. Mercieca, 6 P. Shoults, 6 JP Bonnici, 28 A. Bonnici, 4 I. Stefanovic, L. Camilleri
Bupa: S. Mizzi, 4 M. Mercieca, 13 R. Azzopardi,M. Micallef, 7 A. Borg, A. Bianchi, 3 M. Bonnici, T. Paris, 24 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 24 M. Matijevic, 8 S. Schembri
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Alfred Carbonaro
MBA Shield 2 Div. Men
This top of the table clash resulted in a no-contest, as St. James had more than an edge over Qormi, to post a comfortable victory, and also keep their unbeaten run.
More was expected from Qormi, but they had to play second fiddle against a superior side, whose youth and ability give a clear picture as to the future of the club.
Roberto Formosa returned for Qormi, but they missed the guidance of Vince Spiteri on court.
The start of the match was in St. James’ hands. They went on to a 7-2 lead, but Keith Scicluna replied for Qormi. St. James took over again, and a session-ending 9-2 run put them on a good footing, as they were dictating the play.
In the second quarter Qormi seemed to be recuperating, with Adrian Baldacchino hoops. It didn’t last long, as the Saints, led by two Joe Vella treys, made a 12-0 run, to romp clear. Qormi rallied briefly, and a Scicluna trey began a 7-0 run. This was stopped by a further 10-0 St. James’ run, as Graham Coleiro led his team in to the zone. At the interval Qormi were fully 21-40 behind.
After the break a couple of Qormi hoops had a quick reply from their opponents. Qormi were still trying to get within reach, but the Saints came up with an 8-2 break, to extend their lead further. Qormi ended the session with a brace of baskets, but after three sessions they were still 34-54 in arrears.
The final quarter held no threat for St. James. A Simon Cauchi trey opened the period, for Qormi, but the Saints were in command, and an 8-2 run left Qormi helpless. St. James slackened off, and the Qormi players managed to string a 6-0 run, before the Saints finished off the game with an 8-0 run, and Michel Farrugia points.
Qormi: 9 Keith Scicluna, 9 Anton Axiaq
St. James: 14 Graham Coleiro, 11 Jonathan Ransley, 10 Steve Pace
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef