Miscela D’Oro Mtarfa 68 Bell Net SN Suns 55

(13-24, 19-10, 17-7, 19-14)

Mtarfa kept up their march in the K.O., and after beating the third placed side in the league, Starlites, they have now claimed the scalp of the league runners up, Suns. Now they face the ultimate test, in the final, when they face the league champions, and unbeaten side this season, Siggiewi. Suns seemed on course at the start, racing into a good advantage, but then they fell away, from the second period onwards, and were also at a distance at the end of the match.

Mtarfa were without Calvin Calleja, Florin Agius and David Cini, but Julian gatt was again included. Suns had Adrian Pace and Simon Cauchi missing.

Mtarfa replied quickly to suns’ opening hoop, with a brace of baskets. Suns then took over, to build up a solid 13-1 run, with Keith Sciclina in the forefront. Though Mtarfa recovered, there was Igor Marjanovic to reply to Jeffrey Gatt’s points for Mtarfa, with Suns holding on to a double figure advantage. In the second period Suns were more the spectators for the first part, as Mtarfa poured in an 11-1 run, including a Shaun Baldacchino triple, to go to within a point. They then kept on with a further 8-2 run, to take a lead. Liitle time remained for the interval buzzer, but Suns picked themselves up, and free throws enabled them to grab a slim 34-32 lead.

After the break Mtarfa drew level, only to lose Jarnis Viibe, on excessive protests. Suns took the opportunity to go in front once more,but Mtarfa managed to make up an 8-0 run, mostly from Gatt. Suns were kept at arms’ length by their opponents, who also had Joe Vella with his triple, as they took a 49-41 advantage, into the last session. Mtarfa were still in control, even though Trevor Grech nailed a suns triple. Afterwards Mtarfa made up a 7-2 run, with free throws, to put Suns under more pressure. Hasty play by the latter side had Mtarfa extending their lead, to deny Suns any decent shot at getting back in the game.

Mtarfa 19 S. Baldacchino, 7 J. Attard, J. Gatt, 9 D. Schembri, 6 J. Vella, A. Psaila, 4 J. Viibe, 23 J. Gatt

Suns 21 K. Scicluna, R. Camilleri, D. Agius, 8 H. Agius, 6 M. Barberi, 7 T. Grech, 1 R. Mercieca, Re. Camilleri, 12 I. Marjanovic

Referees E. Mangani, C. Terribile

Qormi Phoenix 46

Siggiewi 72

(13-22, 6-12, 12-18, 15-20)

Siggiewi are on their way to a clean sweep of the second tier honours, and also to maintain a perfect clean sheet, as regards victories, having lost none of their matches so far this season, with only the K.O. final facing them, with Mtarfa as their adversaries. It was the fourth win over Qormi this season by Siggiewi, who were comfortable throughout the whole encounter, with all their players putting down their names on the scoresheet.

Qormi had Kyle Vella and Shaun gauci missing. The champions had their full side for the match.

Siggiewi opened up brightly, with Petar vulovic points, in a 6-0 start. When Qormi stopped their opponents, Siggiewi then went on, this time with a 12-2 run, started with a Matthew Shoults triple. Qormi had fallen behind, but they recovered, and Justin Gambin’s brace of hoops began a good 9-4 run, when Qormi continued with a three basket spread. In the second period, and after Siggiewi’s opening hoop, it was qormi once more, pushing forward, and getting nearer to their adversaries. The champions rallied back, and made up a 10-0 run, which took them to the interval, as they left Qormi behind once more, with a 34-19 score.

After the break Qormi seemed to begin their long way back, gaining ground with some points, but they were halted by a revived Siggiewi side, who put in a 9-0 run, with a Vulovic triple. Later on it was Shoults with his second trey, before Qormi could make their reply, mainly from Darren Debattista, although they had a 31-52 score against them. The last session had the two sides sharing the first points, with Vulovic nailing a second triple. The next minutes went Siggiewi’s way, as Anthony Shoults, this time, sank a triple, in a good 12-2 run, before being stopped by a couple of Gary Micallef hoops. The teams put in their last points, with Kris Farrugia getting his hoop, courtesy of the Qormi players, who left him to net the last basket of the encounter.

Qormi 4 C. Camenzuli, 4 G. Micallef, 5 K. Genovese, 8 D. Debattista, 7 C. Debono, 3 S. Kivshanov, L. Bugelli, 13 J. Gambin, 2 D. Bugeja, E. Sant, E. Farrugia

Siggiewi 24 P. Vulovic,9 JP Antoncic, 4 C. Agius, 8 M. Shoults, 8 L. Grech, 2 A. Borg, 3 N. Falzon, 1 E. Vella, 2 A. Debattista, 7 A. Shoults, 2 G. Agius, 2 K. Farrugia

Referees E. Mangani, B. Sly