Athleta have yet to find some serious contenders to prick their unbeaten bubble. They went out to obtain another victory: this time it was their fourth against the champions this season.

Siggiewi actually gave a good account of themselves also given the team they had to field. Athleta had opened up a solid advantage by the interval but Siggiewi twice came back to a few points deficit in the next two sessions only to be hit by the strong Athleta side who then could control with ease till the final buzzer.

Siggiewi had Peter Shoults out injured but Lee Ross went on the bench for the first time this season. Athleta were again made up by their set team formation.

Steve Schembri’s triple early on in the match gave Athleta a 4-4 score. Siggiewi went on to lead before suffering an Omar Said trey but replied well with an 8-0 run and triples by Eman Xuereb and Alan Borg. Athleta crept close once more and the session ended with treys at both ends Schembri’s second for Athleta and Marco Matijevic to increase Siggiewi’s advantage.

In the second period a 7-2 Athleta run had them on level points at 25-25. Siggiewi rallied but Athleta were beginning to exert control and a solid 13-0 run with a further couple of triples by Schembri put them on a sound advantage. Till the end of the quarter and the interval Athleta were enjoying a good 44-27 lead after a last second Kristin Baldacchino trey.

After the break Siggiewi staged a grim comeback. A 9-0 run was soon followed by another 7-2 one as Adrian Micallef and Matijevic put in their points and their side came within reach of their opponents twice.

Athleta recuperated and the points obtained opened up another and better advantage especially after Schembri’s last second triple which brought the score to 57-46. The champions once more opened up well in the last session through Matijevic and despite Athleta’s hoops Siggiewi had Micallef with more points and a trey as they drew near yet again.

It was Said with his triple who began an 11-0 run which took Athleta beyond Siggiewi’s reach with little time left to make amends. Micallef managed a late triple but Athleta were high and dry by that time and extended their lead at the top of the standings.

Siggiewi: K. Borg, J. Doughty, 11 E. Xuereb, 7 A. Borg, 21 A. Micallef, L. Ross, 4 J. Jetson, 21 M. Matijevic

Athleta: 14 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Galea, 5 E. Bezzina, 14 D. Schembri, 16 O. Said, C. Calleja, 7 A. Bonnici, 5 K. Baldacchino, A. Ryan, 17 S. Schembri

Referees: G. Barbara, JP Sammut, A. Carbonaro

Standings

A to Z Electronics Athleta lead with 12 points from six games. They are followed by Siggiewi Derby with eight points from five games. Depiro Mtarfa and Bupa Luxol also have eight points, but fromsix games, while Tata Motors have six points from five games.