A to Z Electronics Athleta 77

Siggiewi Derby 81

(18-13) (13-21) (19-20) (27-27)

This was a humdinger of a match, one of the best played this season. Both sides enjoyed small leads, but neither managed to make a clear break, and there is everything to play for in the second final, in two days’ time.

This was Siggiewi’s second win in a row over Athleta, after the latter had taken five victories earlier. It was touch and go at the end, with the lead changing hands no less than five times. There was a winner, but what counts now is who is going to emerge victorious in the next match, for the third honour of the season.

For Athleta, Michael Naudi returned to active play, after two games on the bench, but Clayton Calleja and Alex Ryan were still missing. Louis Camilleri was still on the island, for Siggiewi, and they also recovered Jide Jetson. Nigel Sultana, although on the bench, did not make an entry on court.

The champions began with a Lee Ross triple, and held further leads, at 6-2, and then an Alan Borg trey made it 9-3. Athleta settled down, to post a good 10-0 run, starting with a Steve Schembri triple, when they went in front for the first time. When they were stopped, Siggiewi twice were a basket behind, but late points gave Athleta a better session advantage. Addison Bonnici netted a triple for Athleta in the second quarter, and the same Bonnici and Kristin Baldacchino made the opening points.

Siggiewi reacted, through Peter Shoults and Marco Matijevic. After Athleta’s next points, the champions made their triples count, as Shoults sank a brace, and Karl Borg nailed another one.

Siggiewi swept in front , and held their advantage till the interval, on a 34-31 score.

After the break the game yet again began with a triple, from Athleta’s Omar Said, as his side regained the lead, but Siggiewi drew level on three occasions.

On the fourth an Eman Xuereb triple started a good 10-2 run, giving the champions their best advantage yet. Athleta recovered, with a second Steve Schembri triple, as they went to within a point. Then it was free throws for Siggiewi, and they were on a 54-50 lead, when the last session started. Both sides went at it hammer and tongs. Athleta chased their opponents, until they managed to eke out a basket advantage.

Siggiewi returned, only for Athleta to have Schembri and Said with further triples, as they preserved their lead. This lasted until it was Adrian Micallef with a triple for the champions.

Then came the several lead changes, before Siggiewi had Matijevic and Alan Borg with more treys, to finish up ahead of their adversaries, and a slight lead to take with them to the second encounter.

Athleta: 16 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 13 D. Schembri, 2 E. Bezzina, C. Galea, 12 O. Said, 12 A. Bonnici, 3 K. Baldacchino, 19 S. Schembri

Siggiewi: 17 P. Shoults, L. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 3 E. Xuereb, N. Sultana, 8 A. Borg, 12 A. Micallef, 11 L. Ross, 5 K. Borg, J. Jetson, 25 M. Matijevic

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro