Siġġiewi close in on semis
Depiro 65Siġġiewi Smina 81(22-19, 11-20, 15-19, 17-23) Depiro, led for the first time by new coach Ray Muscat, were unlucky to lose their captain Roderick Vella to injury after five minutes. They battled on but as the game wore on, the foul situation...
Depiro 65
Siġġiewi Smina 81
(22-19, 11-20, 15-19, 17-23)
Depiro, led for the first time by new coach Ray Muscat, were unlucky to lose their captain Roderick Vella to injury after five minutes. They battled on but as the game wore on, the foul situation of their key players and fatigue hampered their chances of beating Siġġiewi.
New signing Sassoun Saakian made his debut for Depiro who again banked on their youngsters to fill the void left by Antonie Costa and Alex Tabone.
A balanced first quarter fell Depiro's way, 22-19. However, Depiro's momentum fizzled out as their tall players, Jeffrey Gatt and Saakian, were substituted as both were already on three fouls.
Siġġiewi took advantage to forge ahead by half-time, 39-33. They continued to hold the upperhand to start the final 10 minutes with a 10-point cushion, 58-48.
With Siġġiewi's Jide Jetsen having four fouls to his name, Gatt duly capitalised to bring Depiro to within four points with five minutes left.
But any hopes Depiro had of bridging the gap were dashed after they conceded eight consecutive points.
Depiro: R. Vella, J.P. Schembri, D. Bugeja 4, A. Aquilina 4, G. Muscat 9, J. Gatt 13, D. Debono, E. Lupo 4, S. Saakian 13, I. Tanti 6, D. Agius 12.
Siġġiewi: J.P. Antoncic, B. Zammit 9, J. Doughty, E. Xuereb 3, I. Mercieca, P. Shoults 17, J.P. Bonnici 14, A. Micallef 22, M. Pajec, J. Jetsen 16.
Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.
Compleet IS SW 105
Qormi 37
(24-11, 31-6, 15-16, 35-4)
Compleet IS SW made it two wins out of two after easily brushing aside the challenge of newly-promoted Qormi.
Coach Alfred Mifsud must address his team's weaknesses if Qormi are to improve and hold their own in the top flight.
Compleet overcame a slow start to assume control and end the first quarter 24-11 ahead.
Compleet coach Joe Galea changed his entire line-up for the second session but they were still able to dominate the proceedings.
Qormi fared better in the third quarter but Compleet regained supremacy in the last 10 minutes to chalk up the first century victory of the season.
Compleet: M. Naudi 19, J, Naudi 2, D. Camilleri 7, E. Bezzina 7, C. Sammut 13, O. Said 13, C. Calleja, A. Bonnici 19, K. Baldacchino 10, S. Cassar 15.
Qormi: K. Scicluna 6, J. Sant, A. Baldacchino, J. Aquilina 2, R. Formosa 5, A. Tabone 6, K. Borg, A. Axiaq 3, G. Borg, A. Costa 9, S. Cauchi 4, C. Bugeja 2.
Referees: G. Barbara, S. Micallef, E. Mangani.
Hibs, Depiro ease through
MBA Shield holders Hibs Medsea and rivals Depiro obtained their second victories in the group stage to make sure of a place in the semi-finals of the women's competition.
Hibs recovered from an unconvincing start to beat St James Hospital 55-44. After changing ends 28-15 ahead, Hibs, inspired by captain Lucienne Bezzina, extended their lead to 47-23 ahead of the last 10 minutes.
Hibs seemed to be cruising to an easy victory but St James improved in the last seven minutes to give the final scoreline a more respectable look.
Depiro managed to see off Honey Athleta's resistance in the last quarter to book their place in the semi-finals.
Athleta made a reaction to close the gap to a single basket at half-time, 28-26.
The last session opened with Athleta enjoying a basket lead, 43-41. As the foul-hit Athleta lost their composure, Depiro pulled away for a 71-57 victory.