Siggiewi                77         

Floriana Fran. Fenech                     91

(15-17, 22-23, 27-21, 13-30)

Athleta stayed on top for just a day, as the Greens regained their top placing with their first ever victory over Siggiewi. It was touch and go till three minutes from the end, when both teams were locked on points, but a spate of free throws shot Floriana into an unassailable lead, to compensate somewhat for their K.O.final loss, a week before.

Siggiewi recovered Clayton Agius, and Floriana had Sassoun Saakian, missing for this encounter, and David Camilleri only went on court for some seconds of play, not being fully fit for the match.

After Siggiewi’s brace of opening hoops, Floriana reacted with a 12-2 run, and a Chris Sammut  triple. Siggiewi had Alan Borg with his trey, but Floriana held on to their advantage till the end of the period. In the next session Bevan Scott netted a Floriana triple, and later on his side made up an 8-2 run. Siggiewi responded with a Peter Shoults triple, and drew nearer, but the Greens put in a 7-2 run, with Dirk Schembri points. Then it was Siggiewi with a 7-1 run till the interval, when Floriana went in on a 40-37 lead.

Siggiewi stayed close after the break, with a second Shoults trey. Floriana had Scott with another triple, but Siggiewi came up with a solid 12-0 run, and a further Shoults trey, to forge ahead. Floriana rallied back, to make up an 8-2 run, but their latest advantage was wiped out with a couple of Siggiewi triples, by Shoults and Chris Meier, as they started the last session leading 64-61. Floriana made the score level on four occasions, as they chased Siggiewi, who later on had Xuereb with a triple, for another advantage. The Greens netted a trio of hoops, but Siggiewi were level with another Shoults trey. Those were Siggiewi’s last points, as they fell foul of free throws awarded against them, and Floriana swept away from their opponents, as Scott continued with his excellent form, taking his side over Athleta once more.

Scott had a total 31 points, with Schembri on 21 and Matt Glass with 18 points, for the Greens. Siggiewi’s Shoults netted 26 points, with Meier on 22 points.

Siggiewi: N. Falzon , P. Shoults 26, E. Xuereb 7, C. Agius , A. Borg 7, C. Meier 22, A.     Fekete 4, M. Matijevic 11

Floriana: A. Baldacchino , B. Scott 31, D. Camilleri , M. Glass 18, C. Sammut 10, I.Mercieca 4, C. Calleja 7, D. Schembri 21

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, J. Abeng

Tata Motors Loyola         43         

Pavi Depiro         68

(11-15, 9-14, 12-20, 11-19)

Depiro made their way into the Play Offs, with their double mover Loyola, with the latter playing with a seven man squad. Loyola were in the match till the interval, but then began to fall away, and Depiro continued to increase their lead till the end of the game.

Loyola had to make do without Anton Axiaq, Jonathan Ransley and the suspended JP Azzopardi. Depiro were playing without Abraham Portelli.

When Depiro tried to open up a lead, with an Andrew Aquilina triple, Clint Cassar also netted a Loyola trey soon after. Depiro then made a three basket spread, to capture a first session advantage. In the second period after Depiro extended their lead, Loyola had Dom Mazzocchi with his points, as they went to within a point of their opponents. Depiro ‘s reaction brought about a 10-0 run, and a Roderick Vella triple, and at the interval they were on a 29-20 lead.

After the break Depiro began to pull away, first with a 7-2 run, and another Vella triple. When Loyola tried to answer back there was Vella with a further trey for Depiro. Late in the period Depiro added on another 8-1 run, with Aquilina and Vella treys, for a better 49-32 advantage. Aquilina netted  a further trey in the last session, and although Mazzocchi kept on with his points for Loyola, Depiro were in command,   with another 8-0 run, mainly from Shawn Morgan hoops, as the end was in sight.

Morgan ended with 17 points, Isaac Tanti netted 14 and Vella was on 13 points for Depiro. Mazzocchi put in 28 points for Loyola.

Loyola: B. Zammit , AJ Sarrio 2, C. Cassar 9, S. Borg 4, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella , D. Mazzocchi 28           

Depiro:  R. Vella 13, K. Kun 2, A. Aquilina 9, D. Agius 9, E. Lupo 2,  M. Mallia 2,  I. Tanti 14, S. Morgan 17

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, L. Camilleri