Floriana 51
Compleet IS SW 91
(9-26)(17-23)(13-18)(12-24)
Compleet had an easy time, after their Super Cup defeat by Bupa. They trounced Floriana for the second time this season, to make it three wins out of five games in the League. Floriana had their moment of glory at the start, opening up a surprising lead, only to suffer the consequences, as Compleet came storming forward, to run up a big score.
Floriana had Keith Mifsud missing, and introduced Robert Micallef Trigona. Compleet recovered Michael Naudi, back after his one game suspension, but Silvio Cassar was out, also suspended.
Floriana showed spirit at the start, as they made a 9-2 run, ending with a Karl Borg trey. Compleet got down to business, and overran the Greens, as they turned on the pressure. A long 24-0 run took them to the end of the session, leaving Floriana stranded.
In the second quarter Floriana were more adventurous, with Sassoun Saakian dangerous around the zone. They still had to contend with Compleet’s bench players, as they made their way on court, as all the players made points for Compleet.
There were also Omar Said and Michael Naudi, to sink a trio of treys between themselves, as Compleet compiled a 16-3 run, midway through the period. When Compleet began to slacken off, near the end of the quarter, Floriana used their fast breaks, to tot up a respectable score, at 26-49, at the interval.
After the break Compleet had Said making a couple of hoops, followed quickly by Naudi. Said was then injured, and took no further part in the match. It was Saakian and Adrian Sultana for Floriana, to hike up their score, but they soon had to weather some more Compleet pressure, as the Pembroke side ended the quarter on a 67-39 score.
In the final session Floriana were once more on the receiving end. A 12-0 run saw Naudi and Adrian Micallef sharing points. Gareth Gilson and Bernardo Riolo put their name on Floriana’s score list, as play became more open.
The match was soon mistake ridden, and towards the end both sets of players sought to enhance their personal scores. Asd it was, the only ones to redeem themselves were Micallef for Compleet and Sultana for Floriana.
Floriana: 4 N. Falzon, 2 B. Riolo, R. Micallef Trigona, J. Tanti, 2 G. Gilson, 16 A. Sultana, 17 S. Saakian, 10 K. Borg
Compleet: 28 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 2 C. Calleja, 2 E. Bezzina, 2 J. Galea, 3 T. Riolo, 18 O. Said, 20 A. Micallef, 4 I. Buldakov, 8 K. Baldacchino, 4 R. Mifsud
Referees: Gordon Barbara, Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro
Siggiewi Smina 73
Mellieha SVS R 53
(19-14)(17-13)(20-13)(17-13)
Siggiewi overcame a supposedely stiff obstacle with a touch of ease, as they disposed of a Mellieha side, who were buoyed by back to back wins in the league. It was close in the opening quarter, but Siggiewi were away early in the ssecond session, and opened up[ a well-enough lead, to set their minds at rest, and control the rest of the match.
For the second game in succession Siggiewi were without Peter Shoults and Ian Mercieca. Melleiha had the Aquilina brothers, Joshua and Ben, and Michael Pisani missing.
Mellieha started with the bit between their teeth, as Steve Sammut sank a trey, and more points followed. It didn’t last long, as Siggiewi tied the score. Mellieha went in front once more, with a second Sammut trey, but from then on it was Siggiewi, till the end of the session, with a 7-2 run, to remain in front.
In the second quarter Siggiewi consolidated their advantage, going 24-14 ahead. Mellieha tried to reply, lost Chris Sammut on foul trouble, and Louis Camilleri helped his side to a better lead. Robert Loporto sank a trey for Mellieha, starting an 8-0 run. Siggiewi stopped Mellieha’s run, and kept their lead till the interval, on a 36-27 score.
After the break Mellieha sank a couple of treys, by Julian Naudi and again by Loporto, but in between there were a whole series of points by Siggiewi, in a 17-0 run, as David Camilleri started them off with his personal points, including a trey. Siggiewi went clear, but Mellieha made a reaction, in a 10-2 run, with a second Naudi trey. After three sessions Siggiewi still held a 56-40 lead.
In the final quarter Siggiewi did not let up, and a second David Camilleri trey increased their advantage. Mellieha could only reply in patches, as Siggiewi put in their bench players in the closing stages. It was a blow to Mellieha, but Siggiewi are now back in contention, after a stale period.
Siggiewi: B. Zammit, 21 L. Camilleri, 21 D. Camilleri, 6 J. Doughty, 8 A. Portelli, JP Bonnici, 12 A. Bonnici, JP Antoncic, 5 I. Stefanovic, L. Camilleri
Mellieha: 5 C. Sammut, 12 J. Naudi, 3 S. Aquilina, E. Xuereb, J. Muscat, 19 S. Sammut, 1 T. Degiorgio, 8 J. Jetson, 7 R. Loporto
Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef
Div II
Qormi Kia 68
Bell Med SN Suns 52
(24-16)(16-14)(12-12)(16-10)
Qormi ended Suns?unbeaten two match league run, and registered their own second win. It was Qormi’s second victory over Suns thia season, having beaten them at the start of the Shield campaign.
Suns were only in the lead in the first phase of the opening session, and then they had to chase their opponents all the way to the end of the match.
Qormi were missing the duo, Vince Spiteri, injured in last week’s Shield final, and Keith Scicluna, on a long term injury. Simon Cauchi was also only a spectator on the bench. Suns were without Clayton Agius, indisposed, but Duncan Cilia and Michael Barberi were also missing. Jeffrey Sciberras was back in the side.
Suns had a bright opening, with an 8-0 run, and treys by Trevor Grech and Hubert Agius. Qormi reacted with a 7-0 run of their own, starting with an Adrian Baldacchino trey. Suns held their lead, at 12-9, till Qormi again had a positive 9-0 run, ending with another Baldacchino trey.
There was a small Suns rally, but Qormi were in command at the end of the quarter.
In the second session there was a balanced start, with Qormi preserving their advanatge. When they edged forward again there was Michel Curmi to sink a trey for Suns, but they couldn't get any nearer, due to Joshua Anastasi's hoops for Qormi, as the latter went into the halftime break, 40-30 in front.
After the interval it was Qormi with the better start, with Baldacchino in the thick of the action. With an adverse score, at 34-48, Suns made an 8-0 run, mostly through Curmi’s free throws, to get close once more, only for Qormi to net the last two hoops of the session, and start the last quarter on a good 52-42 advantage.
Qormi put in a good opening again, with a 7-2 run, and then it was treys at both ends. Qormi had Roberto Formosa and Antoine Grech sinkinh theirs, and Sam Farrugia replied for Suns. At the end it was young Glenn Borg who went on court, to put in a trey of his own, and close down the scoring.
Qormi: 16 Adrian Baldacchino, 14 Antoine Grech, 14 Joshua Anastasi
Suns: 11 Trevor Grech 9 Michel Curmi
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut