Luxol, Depiro reach semis

Thanks to their victories over Floriana and Mellieha SVS Reflections, BUPA Luxol and Depiro have joined Siggiewi Smina and Compleet IS SW in the semi-finals of the MBA Shield.

Mellieha SVS Ref. 51
Depiro 58
(14-16, 10-18, 12-10, 15-14)

Depiro started their season on a high after having the better of a Mellieha side which lacked pace and, at times, fighting spirit. Mellieha, with Jide Jetsen failing to keep up the level of play shown in the previous match, had a low shooting percentage and when Julian Naudi found his touch it was too late for them to save the match.

Mirko Arsovski made his debut for Depiro. He left a positive impact and was particularly useful when recovering rebounds.

Mellieha obtained the first seven points but Arsovski downed a three-pointer and Depiro gained confidence to dominate the next five minutes and forge ahead 16-10. Depiro continued were they left off in the second quarter to extend their lead to 28-17 by the seventh minute.

Trailing 34-24 at half-time, Mellieha upped their tempo as the third session got underway. The experienced Naudi began to pot successive points even though there was little response from team-mates Jetsen and Sammut.

Depiro held on to their lead with two consecutive three-pointers by Antoine Costa. They were 44-36 ahead before the last quarter got underway. Mellieha tried hard to narrow the gap but Depiro stayed focused to complete the job.

Mellieha: S. Magro, J. Naudi 21, S. Grima, M. Pisani 2, E. Xuereb 2, J. Muscat, B. Aquilina, J. Aquilina, C. Sammut 16, T. Degiorgio, J. Jetsen 8, R. Loporto 2.

Depiro: R. Vella 9, D. Debono, M. Sammut. G. Muscat, A. Aquilina 4, A. Tabone, M. Arsovski 11, C. Cassar, E. Lupo 16, A. Costa 12, I. Tanti 6, D. Agius.

Refs: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro.

Bupa Luxol 77
Floriana 39
(19-8, 25-10, 20-9 13-12)

As the scoreline indicates, Floriana were no match for the more polished Luxol side for whom Marko Matijevic played a blinder.

Floriana coach Paul Ferrante has work to do if he wants his team to get going. Before his players could even settle down last weekend, Luxol were already 14-2 in front.

Luxol's full court press was posing clear problems for Ferrante as his side fell further behind till half-time - 44-18.

With the match already won and lost, Luxol coach John Tabone gave his bench time on court. Floriana were still not strong enough to profit from the situation as Luxol went on to finish easy winners and book a place in the semi-finals.

Luxol: S. Mizzi, M. Mercieca 4, R. Azzopardi 16, M. Micallef, A. Borg 8, A. Bianchi 8, M. Bonnici 1, T. Paris 5, D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matijevic 23, S. Schembri 12.

Floriana: K. Mifsud, N. Falzon 3, R. Spiteri, M. Pajec 6, B. Riolo 2, K. Borg 2, G. Gilson, A. Sultana 10, S. Saakian 16.

Refs: E. Mangani, C. Terribile.