Mellieha SVS Reflections 71

Siggiewi Smina 73

(21-14)(19-9)(17-21)(14-29)

This was the last of the group games. and the outcome didn’t affect the final standings. Mellieha were literally robbed of a prestigious victory, and Siggiewi had to draw on their deep reserves of energy, to emerge on top, in a match, which Mellieha could, and should have won. Their indecisions in the disastrous final quarter cost them the match, and Siggiewi will consider themselves lucky to finish up as winners.

Mellieha had Chris Sammut abroad and Eman Xuereb injured. Alex Farrugia was in his second game suspension from Siggiewi’s bench, with Joe Zammit again filling in, and winning his second match.

Mellieha went in front at the start, and Louis Camilleri’s trey for Siggiewi had a reply from Julian Naudi’s trey. Mellieha held on to their lead, and an 8-1 run, ending with a Steve Sammut trey, gave Mellieha a better advantage. Siggiewi had a reply in the last stages, with a couple of hoops.

In the second quarter Siggiewi’s static defence was punished by Mellieha’s outside shooting. Treys by Steve Sammut, three of them, Michael Pisani and Robert Loporto, made havoc of Siggiewi, who had a scant Louis Mercieca hoop for a reply. A massive 17-2 run put Mellieha firmly in the driving seat. Siggiewi recovered a little at the end of the session, with a 7-2 run, but Mellieha were well in front at the 9interval, on a 40-23 advantage.

After the break Siggiewi had to make a reaction. It was a slow one, as Mellieha could keep control at first. They held on to their lead till midway through the quarter, but Siggiewi then started to eat away at their deficit. They were hampered by Julian Naudi’s second trey, and Steve Sammut’s fifth, as Mellieha hiked up their lead once more, to a 57-44 score, after three sessions.

In the last quarter a Siggiewi 7-2 opening was marred by a Bobby Loporto trey for Mellieha, but Siggiewi were pressing grimly, and their deficit fell away in a 12-0 run, as Abraham Portelli pushed them into a lead, at 63-62. Michael Pisnai’s second trey put life back into Mellieha, but they panicked at the back, and Siggiewi could forge in front again, and build up enough of a lead, to withstand Mellieha’s last onslaught. Pisani’s third trey and Ben Aquilina’s last-second hoop came too late to save a match, which was theirs for the taking. At the end Siggiewi could gasp a sigh of relief.

Mellieha: M. Cauchi, 8 J. Naudi, 7 J. Jetson, 2 S. Aquilina, J. Muscat, 4 B. Aquilina, 29 S. Sammut, 15 M. Pisani, 6 R. Loporto

Siggiewi: 11 L. Camilleri, 2 J. Doughty, 22 A. Portelli, I. Mercieca, 14 P. Shoults, 4 JP Bonnici, 20 A. Bonnici, JP Antoncic, B. Zammit

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro