A to Z Elec. Athleta 62

Siggiewi 59

(12-16, 23-17, 12-20, 15-6)

Athleta just got the verdict in the opening best of three. They had to endure long periods of Siggiewi advantages and the last session really clinched it for the champions.

Siggiewi tried to hang on and were in it till the very last seconds but they were shut out in the closing stages and couldn’t make the vital last points to save the match. It is still open judging by this encounter and there is nothing yet for granted.

Athleta had their latest full squad on show. Siggiewi’s youngsters Adam Cutajar and Luke Grima were absent but Peter Shoults was back on court after his long injury.

Siggiewi made the better start as Chris Meier and Marco Matijevic opened up an 8-2 lead. Athleta had Michael Naudi to pull them back after Siggiewi’s lead grew a little bigger.

An 8-2 run with Naudi’s triple had them close with Louis Camilleri extending Siggiewi’s advantage before the end of the period.

The Siggiewi lead continued to escalate after the start of the next quarter mainly through Meier but Omar Said netted a triple for the champions as they made up a 9-3 run.

Siggiewi recovered with a Camilleri triple but at the other end there was Steve Schembri with two quick treys in a 9-0 run as his side went ahead for the first time.

Alan Borg also netted a triple for Siggiewi but Schembri did not take time to add a further trey. At the interval after a late Shoults hoop Athleta were just ahead at 35-33.

Siggiewi overturned the score after the break with a 7-2 run. Athleta went on to level the score with a second Said triple. Marco Todorovic put the champions in front with a three point play but it was Siggiewi who went on till the end of the period when they built up a 9-0 run also with a Shoults triple to open up a good 53-47 advantage with a session to go.

Athleta were close once more but Siggiewi were holding out. Todorovic made a number of free throws when Athleta grabbed an advantage.

Siggiewi went back ahead with an Eman Xuereb hoop but free shots had Athleta in front with Siggiewi needing a triple to save the match. They didn’t make it and the champions made the first step towards the final.

Athleta: 17 M. Naudi,  I. Buldakov,  D. Bugeja, 11 M. Todorovic,  M. Giusti, 10 O. Said, 2 D. Schembri, 9 A. Bonnici, 2 K. Baldacchino, 9 S. Schembri

Siggiewi: R. Agius, 9 L. Camilleri, 8 P. Shoults, 4  E. Xuereb, 8  A. Borg, K. Borg, 19 C. Meier,  C. Kodomaris, 11  M. Matijevic

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, L. Camilleri

Thumbs up for Floriana after first match

Floriana Francesco Fenech 74

Depiro Mtarfa 67

(16-10, 16-23, 25-19, 17-15)

Floriana are just a step away from the final after this victory obtained against a Depiro outfit who are also eager to bring back some glory days to the club.

It was a closely fought encounter with Depiro enjoying leads till after the break but then the Greens went in front and Depiro had to do the chasing till the end of the match.

The game began with three officials reduced to two after the interval when the international referee Bernard Vassallo tore a leg muscle seconds before the break and had to cry off the remaining two sessions of play.

Borth sides fielded their latest full squads.

Adrian Micallef replied to Floriana’s opening hoop with a couple of baskets but the Greens turned in an 8-0 run mainly from Chris Sammut.

Depiro recovered and more Micallef points and a Greg Hamlin triple took them close. Evan Fjeld made a Floriana reply with a brace of hoops as his side held on to a first session lead. I

n the second period Depiro opened strongly and made up a 10-0 run with a Nigel Sultana triple as they forged in front. Floriana retaliated and despite an Andrew Aquilina trey more Fjeld points took them to a tie.

Depiro promptly had Aquilina with a second triple and further points for a better advantage. The last stages of the period saw the Greens put in a determined effort but they fell just short of their adversaries with further Fjeld points.

At the interval Depiro were just ahead on a 33-32 score.

The two sides stayed close to each other after the break and the lead was changing hands. Depiro opened up a useful lead only for Floriana to make up a 10-2 run ending with an Ian Mercieca triple.

Depiro came back to level terms on three occasions but the Greens had the last word taking a 57-52 advantage after three sessions. Depiro drew nearer in the first minutes but Floriana passed through a positive spell with a 9-0 run which had them away from their opponents on a double figure lead.

Depiro returned with a will and a 10-0 run to breathe down the Greens’ necks. Floriana stood firm to edge away again and this time the last free throws of the match went their way as they made sure of the opening game.

Floriana: J. Curmi, 22  C. Sammut, 7 I. Mercieca, 2 S. Sammut, 7 C. Calleja, A. Baldacchino, 34 E. Fjeld,  2 A. Sultana,  M. Ciantar

Depiro: 9  R. Vella,  JP Schembri, 9 N. Sultana, 8 A. Aquilina, 3  A. Portelli, 14 A.Micallef,  E. Lupo,  M. Mallia, 4 I. Tanti, 20  G. Hamlin

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, S. Gouder