Siġġiewi Smina 51
Compleet IS 89
(12-20, 15-16, 10-25, 14-28)
This was the 10th victory of the season in the league for Compleet IS but more was expected from Siġġiewi. While Compleet had rebounder Addison Bonnici unavailable, Siġġiewi had to do without playmaker Louis Camilleri and forwards Emman Xuereb and Clayton Agius.
Siġġiewi took an early 7-3 lead but after coach Joe Galea called for a time-out and Compleet pressed full court, Siġġiewi were unable to keep up the rhythm with most of their passes being intercepted.
However, the average rate for both teams underneath the boards was poor with Compleet better from outside shooting to close the opening two quarters 36-27 in front.
Siġġiewi tried hard to raise their game after the interval but with some of their players not contributing willingly in defence, it was easy for Compleet.
Here, David Camilleri (formerly of Siġġiewi) stole the show for his team to pull further away till the final whistle.
Siġġiewi: J.P. Antoncich, M. Pajec, J. Doughty, I. Mercieca 6, P. Shoults 5, J.P. Bonnici 3, A. Micallef 12, P. Volovic 4, J. Jetsen 21.
Compleet: M. Naudi 6, J. Naudi 10, D. Camilleri 20, E. Bezzina 5, C. Sammut 8, J. Valdisere 4, O. Said 19, C. Calleja 2, K. Baldacchino 9, S. Cassar 6.
Referees: G. Barbara, S. Micallef, E. Mangani.
Bupa Luxol 92
Depiro 57
(21-21, 26-9, 30-8, 15-19)
Playing against front-runners Luxol is already an arduous task these days for Depiro let alone fielding a depleted team to challenge the champions.
Not surprisingly, Depiro fizzled out as the match progressed to concede a heavy defeat.
Depiro had a good start, however, to surprise Luxol who struggled to impose their play and it was only in the last seconds that they levelled at 21-all. Luxol looked better at the start of the second quarter and two consecutive technical fouls against the Depiro bench paved the way for their pronounced victory. Luxol changed ends 47-30 in front.
Depiro were now unable to stop Luxol's shooters and drives, and the gap between the two teams grew to 77-38 at the end of the third session. It was only in the final ten minutes, when Luxol introduced their substitutes, that Depiro shared the exchanges.
Luxol: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca, R. Azzopardi 6, M. Micallef 3, A. Borg 10, A. Portelli 2, N. Vasovic 2, T. Paris 2, D. Schembri 15, E. Caruana Montaldo 5, M. Matijevic 24, S. Schembri 23.
Depiro: R. Vella 8, A. Aquilina 3, J. Gatt 20, E. Lupo 12, M. Mallia, I. Tanti 10, G. Muscat 1, D. Agius 3.
Referees: J.P. Sammut, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile.
Standings: Luxol 21 (10-1); Compleet 21 (10-1); Siġġiewi 16 (5-6); Depiro 15 (3-9); Qormi 11 (0-11).
Top scorers: M. Matijevic 220 (Luxol), D. Schembri 183 (Luxol), S. Schembri 179 (Luxol).
Super Cup: Thursday, 16.15 - Luxol vs Depiro.