Athleta had started their season with a super Cup win over Luxol and they made it to the final again in this competition still without any losses but they found a major stumbling block in Siggiewi who began playing in this tournament.

Siggiewi made it plain sailing to the final also and they went one further as they lowered Athleta’s colours to take an honour after finishing up empty handed last season.

To get the facts right, Siggiewi were always ahead right from the start with the champions once managing to tie the score late in the third session.

Siggiewi then went in front yet again and this time they opened enough of an advantage to scupper Athleta’s intentions to end the match in a flurry when they nailed a brace of triples in succession leaving their opponents wondering what had hit them.

Athleta had Michael Naudi back in action although certainly not in peak condition with Addison Bonnici also nursing an injury and not fully match fit in the final. Siggiewi had Lee Ross back in the fold after a season away from them and Clayton Agius was upgraded from the second string. Besides Marco Matijevic they also had an American Daniel Olsen who had to sit out the final with an inflamed foot.

Siggiewi went staraight in front and Alan Borg’s trey helped to a better lead. Athleta struck back but Siggiewi were still ahead after the opening session and they managed to increase their advantage in the next period along with two Ross triples.

Omar Said’s trey for the champions was not much help and Siggiewi were on a satisfying 31-22 favourable score at the interval.

Athleta were expected to make their move after the break but another Borg triple for Siggiewi momentarily halted them. The champions then crept slowly nearer until they managed to draw level at 38-38.

Free shots put Siggiewi in front once more for a 42-38 score at the start of the last session. Athleta were chasing Siggiewi all the way but not on a near enough score and when Peter Shoults and Ross made their treys it was all over for the champions who couldn’t make up the leeway in the little time left, with Siggiewi adding on two more hoops for good measure.

After the match the MBA president, Paul Sultana, presented the winning trophy to the Siggiewi captain Eman Xuereb.

Athleta: M. Naudi 8, I. Buldakov , D. Bugeja 4, M. Todorovic 17, M. Giusti, O. Said 15, S. Birschoff, A. Bonnici, K. Baldacchino 2, S. Pace, S. Schembri 3

Siggiewi: R. Agius, L. Ross 19, L. Camilleri 2, P. Shoults 8, E. Xuereb, C. Agius, A. Borg 6, C. Meier 16, D. Olsen, M. Matijevic 8

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro

Results

Pool 1: AtoZ Electronics Athleta 51 Pavi Depiro 45

Pavi Depiro 74 Bupa Luxol 70

Bupa Luxol 40 AtoZ Electronics Athleta 58

AtoZ Electronics Athleta finished on top with four points, Pavi Depiro were second with three and Bupa Luxol third with two points.

Pool 2:

Floriana Francesco Fenech 46 Siggiewi 58

Siggiewi 46 Tata Motors Loyola 29

Tata Motors Loyola 26 Floriana Francesco Fenech 58

Siggiewi topped the pool with four points, one ahead of Floriana Francesco Fenech, two, and Tata Motors Loyola, who were third on two points.

5th Place match

Bupa Luxol 58 Tata Motors Loyola 45

Semi Final 1

AtoZ Electronics Athleta 63 Floriana Francesco Fenech 54

Semi Final 2

Siggiewi 55 Pavi Depiro 48

3rd Place Match

Floriana Francesco Fenech 59 Pavi Depiro 67

Final

AtoZ Electronics 44 Siggiewi 59

(10-13)(12-18)(16-11)(6-17)