Siggiewi overcame a difficult start, in spite of taking the first advantage. The two teams were close for most of the time, with Starlites’ only real advantage being neutralized till the interval. The crunch against Starlites came in the final session, as the champions registered a heavy run, which took the stuffing out of the Starlites outfit, leaving them no time to recuperate.
Starlites were missing Abraham Portelli and Francis Bartolo, both injured, and Trevor Degiorgio abroad. Siggiewi were without Ian Terribile.
The champions made the better start, as Lee Grech sank a triple, for a 5-0 lead. Starlites recovered with an 8-0 run, and an Ivan Riolo trey, along with hoops by Chris Doublet. Siggiewi pulled a basket back, but were still in arrears. In the second period Riolo made a hoop and another triple, but Petar Vulovic did likewise, at the other end, and Siggiewi went on to build up a 12-2 run, with a further JP Antoncic trey. They were stopped by a steve Gouder triple for Starlites. At the interval it was Siggiewi in front, at a low 19-18.
After the break Statrlites opened up well, to make up a 9-0 run, with points from Gouder, and a Doublet triple. The champions rallied back, but Starlites held on to an advantage, which was whittled down to a single point, at 34-35. In the final quarter Starlites, after an early hoop, were shocked, as Siggiewi put in a solid 17-0 run, with two triples by Clayton Agius, and another from Vulovic, which went on till late in the period. Even if Robert Bonnici sank a triple for Starlites, it was too late by then.
Starlites: 14 Ivan Riolo, 11 Chris Doublet, 8 Robert Bonnici, 8 Steve Gouder
Siggiewi: 23 Petar Vulovic, 8 Albert Borg, 6 Clayton Agius, 5 John Paul Antoncic, 5 Lee Grech, 4 Glenn Gauci Grech
Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro
Floriana come a cropper against bogey team
Floriana Peugeot 40
Athleta 44
(6-13)(15-12)(19-16)(10-21)
It was no surprise, as Athleta had already beaten the Greens in the League, and they managed to inflict the double, with Floriana unable to defend the honour won last season. It was always on the cards that Athleta could somehow do it again, and the Greens played into their hands, with players intent on making personal points, and losing numerous possessions. For Athleta it will be their first ever final in this category.
Floriana had Joseph Tanti missing, but recovered Chris Sammut. Athleta’s Roberto Formosa was abroad, and Yannick Schembri was roped in once more.
Both teams took long to settle down, and the scoring was in fits and starts. Steve Sammut began for Floriana, but Samuel Aquilina replied for Athleta, for the sum total of the few occasopns in the opening period. The second session was a more settled one, as Chris Sammut provided the Greens with more points, and Ivan Buldakov netted a triple for Athleta. Floriana held on to their advantage, though Athleta stayed close. Two late hoops gave the Greens a 21-16 halftime advantage.
After the break Athleta pulled back to level terms, with a 7-2 run. Floriana recovered, to open up another lead. It did not suffice, as athleta took a minimal lead, till the end of the session. The advantage changed hands three times in the final period, before Steve Sammut made a triple for Floriana. Athleta turned the score around once more, and completed a 7-2 run. Floriana couldn’t make another breakthrough, gave the ball away, and Athleta were home and dry, to meet Siggiewi in the final next Sunday.
Floriana: 13 Chris Sammut, 11 Steve Sammut, 8 Ian Mercieca, 4 Mark Ciantar, 4 Ben Aquilina
Athleta: 13 Samuel Aquilina, 11 Ivan Buldakov, 7 Adrian Baldacchino, 4 John Muscat, 4 Lowell Fenech, 2 Karl Cucciardi, 2 Mark Spiteri, 1 Tim Womack
Referees: JP Sammut, C. Terribile