Group phase comes to a close

The two matches played last weekend brought to a close the group phase of the men's MBA Shield competition. Compleet IS SW and Siggiewi Smina topped their respective groups after comprehensive victories over Floriana and Depiro. In the semi-finals, Compleet will meet Depiro while Siggiewi take on BUPA Luxol.

Siggiewi Smina 77
Depiro 58
(20-12, 22-16, 18-17, 17-13)

Though shorn of their best rebounder Addison Bonnici, Sig-giewi were still too strong for Depiro.

Sharp-shooter David Camilleri had a field day for the winners with nine three-pointers besides finishing the match as top scorer with 32 points.

Depiro potted the first six points of the game but Siggiewi soon got into action as the Camilleri duo - Louis and David - saw the team through 20-12 in the first quarter.

Siggiewi extended their rich vein of form to the second session as they opened a 42-21 lead before seven consecutive points saw Depiro reducing the gap to 42-28 at half-time.

Depiro's efforts to re-open the match were commendable but fruitless as their opponents never relented. Each time Depiro came close, Siggiewi sprang back into action to make sure of victory.

Siggiewi: B. Zammit 3, L. Camilleri 14, D. Camilleri 32, J. Doughty 3, A. Portelli 11, I. Mercieca, P. Shoults 4, J.P. Bonnici 8, J.P. Antoncich 1, I. Stefanovic 1, L. Camilleri.

Depiro: R. Vella 12, D. Debono, M. Sammut 5, G. Muscat 8, A. Aquilina, A. Tabone 4, M. Mallia 4, C. Cassar 13, E. Lupo 7, A. Costa 5, I. Tanti, I. Terrible.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Micallef.

Compleet IS SW 102
Floriana 57
(33-13, 21-20, 23-8, 25-16)

Compleet IS were all out to regain some lost confidence following their upset to Siggiewi in their previous outing. They achieved their objective in style as Joe Galea's men pressed full court giving their modest opponents very little time to settle down.

Floriana had Niki Lubrano playing against his former team-mates.

The match was practically won and lost after the opening minutes when Compleet established a 21-4 lead. Floriana effected some substitutions to lift their game. At half-time, however, Compleet IS were leading 54-33.

The third period saw Galea fielding his best five players again and the rout continued as Compleet started the last ten minutes 77-41 ahead. Then, with less than two minutes left, Pembroke potted their 100th point, the first century of the season.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 32, J. Zammit, C. Calleja 2, E. Bezzina, J. Galea 1, T. Riolo 10, O. Said 16, A. Micallef 14, D. Cuschieri 7, I. Buladakov, S. Cassar 8, R. Mifsud 12.

Floriana: N. Falzon 2, K. Borg 5, K. Mifsud 2, B. Riolo 2, N. Lubrano 7, G. Gilson 14, A. Sultana 8, S. Saakian 17.

Referees: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef.

MBA Shield SFs: (Saturday) 4.15 p.m. Compleet IS vs Depiro. (Sunday) 4.15 p.m. Siggiewi vs BUPA Luxol.