Floriana 41

Siggiewi Smina 54

(6-10)(2-23)(17-12)(16-9)

Siggiewi returned to winning ways, after suffering three defeats in a row, but they made heavy weather in beating a modest Floriana side, in a low-score match. Siggiewi seemed to be playing under a cloud, and it was their positive second session that pulled them through, as they had to suffer Floriana’s rallies, in the last two quarters of the match. This lacklustre win kept Siggiewi in third position, and made sure of a final three place.

Floriana had Noel Falzon missing, but recovered Adrian Sultana, who missed their last game. Siggiewi were without suspended coach Alex Farrugia, with Joe Zammit filling in. John Doughty was injured, as David Camilleri has been for some time now. Peter Shoults was back after his suspension.

Both sides had a quiet start, but Siggiewi settled down better, and a Peter Shoults trey started them off to an 8-0 run. Floriana reacted towards the end of the session, and Adrian Sultana helped the Greens to creep near, although it was a low-score period.

In the second quarter Louis Camilleri’s hoops earned Siggiewi a 16-6 lead. Sascha Saakian stopped Siggiewi’s surge, but the latter then took the game by the scruff of the neck, and some fast play downed Floriana in a long 17-0 run, going on till the end of the quarter. At the interval Siggiewi held a decisive 33-8 lead, as Floriana were sadly lacking in accurate shooting.

After the break there was a turnabout situation. Floriana were the resurgent side, and Joe Tanti made their points, including a trey, and helped by Sultana. Siggiewi’s lead diminished, but not that much, even though Milan Pajic sank another trey for the Greens.

In the last seconds there were a flurry of points, leaving Siggiewi leading Floriana 45-25, after three sessions.

Floriana went forward once more at the start of the last quarter, with a 9-0 run, most of them being personal Saakian points.

Siggiewi reacted with Addison Bonnici hoops, but Floriana replied with a Karl Borg trey, with their score going up to more than respectable standards.

Siggiewi played out time at the end, as their last efforts didn’t find the target.

Floriana: 3 M. Pajic, K. Azzopardi, 6 B. Riolo, 9 J. Tanti, R. Micallef Trigona, G. Gilson, 19 S. Saakian, 10 A. Sultana, 3 K. Borg

Siggiewi: 13 L. Camilleri, 4 A, Portelli, 5 I. Mercieca, 11 P. Shoults, 9 JP Bonnici, 10 A. Bonnici, 2 JP Antoncic, B. Zammit

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro