Favourites reach final

BUPA Luxol 76
Siggiewi Smina 57
(17-2, 19-20, 20-17, 20-18)

A blasting opening session paved the way for holders BUPA?Luxol to reach the final on February 10. For the first time, Luxol paraded young Nicola Vasovic as Siggiewi had to do without the upcoming Billy Zammit who joined Loyola.

Siggiewi's start was disastrous, to say the least. They played better as from the second session onwards but were still unable to unsettle Luxol who potted the first 17 points of the game.

Eman Xuereb chalked up the first basket for Siggiewi at the end of the opening quarter and the team produced better play for the rest of the match.

At half-time, Siggiewi were trailing 36-22. They maintained the upperhand after the interval and, led by Peter Shoults, reduced the gap to seven points - 41-34.

Luxol coach John Tabone opted for a time-out at this juncture to surpass a difficult moment. Two Marko Matijevic three-pointers and successful free-throws helped Luxol regain momentum to lead 56-39.

Balance prevailed in the last 10-minute session. Siggiewi's bold efforts were remarkable but Luxol stayed in control to book a berth in the final.

Luxol: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca 3, R. Azzopardi 5, M. Micallef, A. Borg 10, A. Portelli 2, N. Vasovic, T. Paris, D. Schembri 12, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matjevic 21, S. Schembri 23.

Siggiewi: J.P.Antoncich, L. Camilleri 18, P. Shoults 16, E. Xuereb 2, I. Mercieca 2, J.P. Bonnici 10, A. Micallef, P. Vulovic 4, J. Jetsen 5.

Referees: G. Barbara, J.P. Sammut, E. Mangani.

Compleet IS SW 90
Depiro 46
(16-17, 25-10, 27-13, 22-6)

Compleet IS SW had a shaky take-off to this semi-final but once they clicked into gear there was no stopping Joe Galea's team from reaching the final.

Depiro raced to a 17-3 lead but Galea introduced Frenchman Julien Valdisere and forward Kristen Baldacchino to put his ship back on course.

Compleet's full-court press surprised Depiro who saw their healthy advantage whilting away to 17-16.

Depiro's misery continued as the second session got underway.

Baldacchino hit a bright patch and potted five three-pointers in a row. It was only after conceding 17 consecutive points that Depiro came back into the picture as Compleet led 41-27 at half-time.

Depiro shared the exchanges after the interval, but Compleet upped their game to another level. They started the last ten minutes 68-40 in front. With Depiro struggling underneath the boards, Compleet went on to register a comprehensive victory.

Compleet: M. Naudi 10, D. Camilleri, C. Sammut 2, J. Valdisere 13, O. Said 13, J. Calleja 2, A. Bonnici 14, K. Baldacchino 27, S. Cassar 9.

Depiro: R. Vella 9, J.P.Schembri, D. Bugeja 2, A. Aquilina 7, N. Gatt, J. Gatt 6, D. Debono, E. Lupo 8, S. Saakian 8, I. Tanti 2, D. Agius 4.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile.

Powerade League: (January 3) 4.15 p.m. Qormi vs Siggiewi. (January 4) 4.15 p.m. Compleet vs Luxol.

Women's SFs

Hibs Medsea and Luxol will contest the final of the MBA Shield.

Hibs, the holders, easily disposed of Honey Athleta as Luxol stunned the more-quoted Depiro in the other semi-final.

In an interesting and balanced match it was Luxol who managed to control Depiro's last efforts to win the tie.

Luxol had the better start and with Mandy Sciortino (25 points) in good form they opened a 14-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.

That lead was extended to 21-8 but Sveltana Micallef led Depiro's charge back into the game and at half-time they were only four points behind - 32-28.

Depiro continued where they had left off after the break to open a slim lead of 39-38.

This was a difficult moment for Luxol but a change in tactics saw them nosing ahead 48-42 before the last quarter got underway.

Hard as they tried Depiro could not regain the initiative as Luxol held on till the final whistle for a 69-58 win.

Medsea continued with their excellent start to the season as they were never troubled by Honey Athleta.

Medsea took a 22-6 lead and went on to change ends 45-17 ahead.

Hibs continued to dictate matters to run out 70-47 winners.

National League: (January 4) 11 a.m. St James vs Luxol, 12.45 p.m. Honey Athleta vs Stunners, 2.30 p.m. Depiro vs Hibs.