Athleta Compleet IS 55

Siggiewi KB 54

(18-16)(19-10)(10-16)(8-12)

In the only preliminary match of this competition, Athleta managed to get into the last four games, and it was a free throw miss in the last four seconds of the match that denied Siggiewi a tie in normal time, and eventual overtime. Athleta seemed to be on their way at the interval, and soon after, as they built up a sound lead, but Siggiewi never know when they are beaten, and they returned strongly for the rest of the match, and Athleta didn't relish the Siggiewi pressure, something which they coped with in the first part of the match.

Both sides suffered injuries, but whereas Michael Naudi, who was voted the Miles Express Player of the Month for October, returned for Athleta, in the latter part of the match, Adrian Micallef couldn't make it back for Siggiewi, after a shoulder injury.

Athleta had Julian Naudi missing again for the second match, whilst Siggiewi, besides Marco Matijevic, had Louis Camilelri also out injured. They also upgraded Elton Baldacchino from their second string.

Siggiewi made a good reply to Athleta's first points, as Karl Borg netted a couple of triples. Athleta were in difficulty, as Siggiewi came up with an 8-0 run, as Adrian Micallef concluded well. It was left to Omar Said, as he mustered an 11-0 run, with nearly all his own points, including a trey, as Athleta jumped in front. Siggiewi managed to draw level, but it was Athleta ahead, after the opening session, although Michael Naudi went on the bench, seemingly with leg trouble. Siggiewi opened up well in the second period, but they were hit by a second Said triple, and Athleta then went on with a further 7-0 run, ending with a further Said trey, for a 28-20 lead. Siggiewi tried to keep up the pace, but Athleta put in another 7-2 run, this time ending with a Clayton Calleja triple, and it was a double figure advantage. Micallef cried off for Siggiewi, and at the halfway stage Siggiewi were 26-37 behind.

After the break Athleta's brace of hoops had Siggiewi with a decent reply, as Peter Shoults sank a trey. Addison Bonnici was still making hoops for Athleta, as they extended their lead, but Siggiewi came back with a 9-0 run, when Jide Jetson made a trio of hoops, to end the session on a good note for Siggiewi, creeping back to a 42-47 deficit, with Athleta faltering in their session points.

In the last quarter Siggiewi's pressure continued, as they drew closer, despite an Etienne Bezzina trey. A second Borg triple at the other end, in a 7-0 run, overturned the score for a single pointt Siggiewi advantage. Said responded with another trey, as Athleta regained their lead, only for Alex Tabone to tie the score. A late Bonnici hoop for Athleta could have had a reply, as Shoults was awarded his free throws.

The first one went in, but the second was missed, and Athleta could scrape through, by the skin of their teeth.

Athleta: 1 M. Naudi, 3 E. Bezzina, M. Giusti, C. Galea, 26 O. Said, 5 C. Calleja, 13 A. Bonnici, J. Zammit, 8 S. Cassar

Siggiewi: 13 P. Shoults, JP Antoncic, E. Xuereb, 8 A. Tabone, 11 K. Borg, 12 A. Micallef, A. Costa,10 J. Jetson, E. Baldacchino

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani