Tata Motors Loyola 59

Siggiewi 68

(14-11, 10-24, 23-13, 12-20)

Siggiewi’s fourth victory on the trot against Loyola kept Siggiewi on track for a place in the playoff series.

They had to withstand some heavy pressure from the losers when Loyola also managed to go in front with their triples but everything came out right at the end for Siggiewi who had Marco Matijevic in peak form.

Both sides were playing with their latest standard formations.

Loyola began with a brace of hoops with Siggiewi overturning the score after Matijevic points and a triple. Loyola returned with an 8-2 run and more Rashanti Harris points. Siggiewi drew nearer late in the period but a last second hoop by Shawn Pace left Loyola on a three point advantage.

In the second session Siggiewi began on a sound basis and a good 13-2 run with an Eman Xuereb triple.

Loyola’s efforts to make up the difference did not have much success as Siggiewi had Matijevic in good shooting form to offset Harris who obtained all of Loyola’s points in this period.

Matijevic then netted two late triples when siggiewi opened up a 35-24 advantage at the interval.

After the break there was a resurgence in Loyola’s play and their triples were pouring in as David Camilleri put in a total of three and two more were from Pace.

Loyola wiped out their double figure deficit and led by a single basket. Siggiewi’s reaction came late in the period with a 7-2 run and despite points from Harris Siggiewi were just ahead at 48-47.

In the last session Siggiewi drew away from their adversaries after a 10-0 run and two Chris Meier treys. That shook up Loyola who retaliated with an 8-4 run and another Camilelri triple.

Free throws took siggiewia way once more and though Camilleri found space to net yet another trey Siggiewi had enough of an advantage to coast through to another win.

Loyola: 13 S. Pace,  B. Zammit, 17 D. Camilleri, M. Cilia,  S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella,  4 A. Axiaq,  J Azzopardi,  J. Anastasi,  J. Ransley, 25 R. Harris

Siggiewi: R. Agius, A. Cutajar,10 L. Camilleri,  6 E. Xuereb, L. Grima, 4 A. Borg, K. Borg, 13 C. Meier, C. Kodomaris, 35  M. Matijevic

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Gouder, C. Terribile

Standings

After all clubs have played eight matches, with the exception of A-Z Electronics Athleta, who have played a match less, Athleta lead on 15 points. Second place are Floriana Francesco Fenech, who have 13 points.

They are followed by Depiro Mtarfa and Siggiewi on 12 points, Bupa Luxol 12 and Tata Motors Loyola on nine points.