A to Z Electronics Athleta     91

Bupa Luxol     57

(22-11, 14-13, 34-15, 31-18)

The champions are now alone at the top of the standings as they handed Luxol their first league defeat and also beating them for the fourth time in five matches.

The champions began with a Michael Naudi triple and held their lead despite Luxol’s baskets.

Midway through the session Athleta made up a 9-0 run to steer a little bit clear but Jeron Belin points had Luxol nearer. In the last stages of the session Athleta extended their advantage also with a Steve Schembri triple and a double figure advantage.

In the second period Athleta put in an 8-0 run and eased away from their adversaries. The Violets retaliated with a 7-2 run and a Belin triple but they were still at a distance and Athleta could hold them off till the interval on a 36-24 score.

After the break Athleta began with a three basket spread before Luxol could start to reply. Later on the champions made another 9-2 run with an Omar Said triple and Naudi also netted his second trey leaving Luxol stranded.

The latter made up some points before the period ended but Athleta were still 60-39 in front.

In the last session it was the order of the triples as said put in two more for Athleta and Steve Schembri then let loose as he poured in three more treys.

In between the Violets made points of their own including a Belin triple but they always trailing badly and Athleta took their sole place at the top of the table.

Athleta: 23 M. Naudi,  D. Bugeja,  I. Buldakov, 16 M. Todorovic, M. Giusti, 16  O. Said, 14 D. Schembri,  6 A. Bonnici, 2 K. Baldacchino, 14 S. Schembri

Luxol: 8 CJ Cordina, 8 M. Mercieca, 27 J. Belin, 2 A. Micallef Trigona, L. Ross, A. Costa, 4 N. Vasovic, 4 T. Paris, M. Attard Montalto, E. Caruana Montaldo, 4 JP Bonnici, S. Cappello

Referees:  G. Barbara, C. Terribile, L. Camilleri

Floriana Francesco Fenech     65

Depiro Mtarfa     37

(16-6, 17-11, 19-8, 13-12)

Floriana kept up the good work from their victory over Loyola getting back to back wins and also registering their second victory in four matches against Depiro. 

The Greens opened up well as Chris Sammut nailed an early triple and they went on to lead 7-0 with further Fjeld points.

Emanuel Lupo started Depiro’s account but Floriana made another 7-0 run with a second Sammut trey. Till the end of the period Depiro could only get fractionally nearer and Floriana kept tabs on their opponents.

In the second session Depiro tried to get back in contention as early as possible and put in a 7-0 run mostly from Roderick Vella. The Greens rode this brief spell and Sammut sank a further triple in another 7-0 run. Both sides then answered each other in baskets until Floriana made up a three basket spread. At the interval Depiro were trailing 17-33.

After the break Depiro with Hamlin on the bench with fouls tried to limit the damage and were successful in part but they were still found wanting in attack.

Floriana began to pick up once more later on in the session and they finished off with a good 11-2 run as Fjeld besides other points also netted a triple. With a period to go the Greens were 52-25 ahead.

Depiro began with a brace of hoops but it was Floriana who stormed forward and this resulted in a further 13-0 run by Chris Sammut with a fourth triple and more Fjeld points to set the seal on a handsome victory. Depiro did end on a good note and an 8-0 run but this was only cosmetic to bring up their tally a little bit more but nothing to hide their heavy defeat.

Floriana: J. Curmi,  22 C. Sammut,  I. Mercieca,  S. Sammut.  C. Calleja, Baldacchino, 35 E. Fjeld,  6 A. Sultana, 2 M. Ciantar

Depiro: 8  R. Vella,  JP Schembri,  A. Aquilina, 6 A. Portelli,  A. Micallef, 4 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 8 I. Tanti, 9 G. Hamlin

Referees: G. Barbara, S. Gouder, C. Terribile

Siggiewi     68

Tata Motors Loyola     62

(13-9, 18-15, 18-19, 19-19)

Siggiewi surmounted the Loyola obstacle, but not after a hard time given by the losers. Siggiewi were always in front at times opening up good leads but Loyola stuck to their task as Rashanti Harris tried to bolster his side continuously.

After Loyola’s opening hoop, it was Alan Borg for Siggiewi with a personal 8-0 run and two triples. Loyola’s reaction brought aboput a Shawn Pace triple as they went to within a point. Siggiewi had Meier with a three point play and Alan Borg finished off with a third trey and a better advantage.

In the second quarter it was Siggiewi with the better opening and a 9-2 run all from Meier’s hands.

It was Rashanti Harris with more points for Loyola but Karl Borg sank a Siggiewi triple in a 7-2 run. Loyola had Pace with a second triple and they also finished with a couple of hoops to reduce the arrears. At the interval Siggiewi were leading 31-24.

After the break Loyola began to get closer but a couple of Siggiewi hoops pushed them back. Loyola replied with a Billy Zammit triple only for Siggiewi to come up again with a brace of hoops. Harris was putting in Loyola’s points but Siggiewi had more triples from Alan and Karl Borg but their new lead was whittled down with Loyola free shots for a 49-43 score.

Siggiewi’s lead increased with free throws only for Loyola to get back in contention. Loyola’s next hoops answered Siggiewi’s other points but Karl Borg then sank two more triples for Siggiewi, but in between Sean Borg also nailed a Loyola triple and the game remained close.

Loyola’s last frenzied attempts were to no avail as Siggiewi held firm to notch their win their third over Loyola this season.

Siggiewi:  R. Agius,  L. Camilleri, 12 K. Borg,  L. Grima, 24 A. Borg, 25  C. Meier, C. Kodomaris, 7 M. Matijevic

Loyola: 11 S. Pace, 3 B. Zammit, 3 D. Camilleri, 7 S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella, 10 A. Axiaq,  2 J. Ransley, 26 R. Harris

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, S. Gouder

Standings

After all clubs have played three matches, A-Z Electronics Athleta lead with six points. They are followed by Floriana Francesco Fenech and Bupa Luxol on five, Depiro Mtarfa and Siggiewi on four and Tata Motors Loyola on three points.