Siggiewi were seemingly on to a comfortable victory, as they took a late lead over Depiro, but the latter staged a grand comeback, which just missed the bus. Depiro led for a good part of the match, but in the later stages they fell behind, and it was just enough for Siggiewi, as they beat off Depiro’s last, desperate efforts, to ensure their sole third position, and a place in the championship play offs.

Depiro had players missing, such as Gavin Muscat, David Debono, Jp Schembri, and, more importantly, Sassoun Saakian. Siggiewi still had Louis Camilleri and Clayton Agius unavailable.

Depiro made a satisfying start, as Andrew Aquilina, also with a trey, and Isaac Tanti, helped their side to an 11-2 run. Siggiewi recovered well, and Petar Vulovic led them to a 12-2 run of their own. Depiro stopped them with a Roderick Vella trey, but Siggiewi were just ahead, after the opening session. Siggiewi managed to extend their advantage in the second quarter, to a 25-21 score. Depiro reacted strongly, to post a 12-0 run, beginning with an Emanuel Lupo trey, and Aquilina put in all the other points, including two other treys. Siggiewi had to reply, and they made an 8-2 run, with a Peter Shoults trey. Depiro had Roderick Vella to keep them in front, putting in a second trey, and they went in at the interval, on a slight 39-37 lead.

After the break it was Depiro who increased their advantage once more, and although Siggiewi returned to just a basket behind, it was Depiro with a further trey by Aquilina, going to 50-43 ahead. Siggiewi staged a comeback, and a 9-2 run, which went on till the end of the period, and teh two sides were on level terms, at 52-52. In the final session Siggiewi went in front, through Adrian Micallef, and though Depiro persisted, Siggiewi held on to their lead, also managing an 8-0 run, to break clear, at 70-57, in a winning position. Depiro defied them, and still came back, with a grand 15-2 run, with yet another Aquilina trey. This took the wind out of Siggiewi’s sails, but time was against Depiro, and Siggiewi grimly held on, as Depiro tried to stop the shot clock. They had too few fouls, and Siggiewi scraped through the final few seconds.

Depiro: 14 R. Vella, 28 A. Aquilina, D. Bugeja, 3 J. Gatt, 7 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 16 I. Tanti, 2 D. Agius

Siggiewi: JP Antoncic, M. Pajic, 2 J. Doughty, E. Xuereb, I. Mercieca, 22 P. Shoults, 2 JP Bonnici, 25 A. Micallef, 8 P. Vulovic, 13 J. Jetson

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef, Clive Terribile