Luxol top team at end of first phase

Compleet IS 86
BUPA Luxol 87
(22-14, 26-22, 18-26, 20-25)

The direct clash between the top two teams brought an end to the first phase of the Powerade League on Sunday. Champions Luxol will now start the Championship Pool in pole position and one point ahead after pipping their rivals in a high-scoring match to decide first place.

The game was a thriller and kept those present on the edge of their seats until the very end. In fact, with less than a second left, Luxol potted the free-throw that gave them victory and a morale booster as these two sides will meet twice in the space of a few days... in the league and BOV KO final.

Both sides had one of their tall players missing, Derek Schembri for Luxol and Compleet's Addison Bonnici. Luxol's defence looked weak at the start and Compleet profited to open a 22-14 lead by the end of the first session.

With Marco Matijevic blotted out and playmaker Alan Borg unable to get his team-mates going in attack, Compleet continued to dictate matters.

Many thought Luxol were already down and out when Joe Galea's team raced to a 40-23 lead.

Luxol's woes, meanwhile, were compounded with the third foul committed by Robert Azzopardi and Marco Mercieca. It was here that coach John Tabone called a time-out and effected a couple of substitutions. Luxol improved as Matijevic finally woke up and his team went on to reduce the gap to 48-36 at half-time.

Matijevic extended his fine patch to the third session and with more precise shooting from his team-mates in attack, Luxol were now a single basket behind, 59-57.

The match was a battle of nerves as Luxol kept the momentum going and with less than three minutes left they led 77-74.

Compleet, however, pressed hard and when Luxol lost Borg for his fifth foul, they started to win several possessions.

A Matijevic basket, however, saw Luxol ahead with less than a minute left. Compleet were under pressure now but a Robert Azzopardi foul near mid-court allowed David Camilleri to take two free-throws. He only potted one to level at 86-86 with six seconds left.

Matijevic was then fouled in the zone. He was successful from the first free-throw to secure a narrow, but useful, victory for his team.

Compleet: M. Naudi 22, J. Naudi 12, D. Camilleri 4, E. Bezzina, C. Sammut 9, J. Valdisere 6, O. Said 16, C. Calleja, K. Baldacchino 4, S. Cassar 13.

Luxol: B. Micallef Trigona, M. Mercieca 4, R. Azzopardi 20, M. Micallef, A. Portelli 5, A. Borg 5, N. Vasovic 3, T Paris, R. Dalli, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matjevic 29, S. Schembri 21.

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.

Qormi 52
Siġġiewi Smina 68
(14-17, 14-11, 9-22, 15-18)

Siġġiewi came from behind to beat Qormi in a low-key match with little interest attached.

After a balanced start, Qormi took a 25-20 lead midway through the second session. Substitutions helped Siġġiewi to halt the rot, however, and after levelling the score at half-time, 28-28, they pressed Qormi and mounted a series of fast breaks to start the last ten minutes 50-37 ahead.

Qormi had a good start to the last quarter but after reducing the gap to just four points, 56-51, Siġġiewi applied an extra gear to put the issue beyond doubt.

Qormi: G. Borg, J. Sant, J. Camilleri, J. Anastasi 5, D. Debattista, A. Tabone 4, K. Borg 13, A. Axiaq 14, G. Mercieca, A. Costa 14, S. Cauchi, C. Bugeja 2.

Siġġiewi: J.P. Antoncich, J.P. Azzopardi, M. Pajec, J. Doughty, E. Xuereb 2, L. Grech, J.P. Bonnici 6, A. Micallef 33, P. Volovic 10, J. Jetsen 17, O. Shamala.

Referees: S. Micallef, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Standings: Luxol 23 (11-1), Compleet 22 (10-2), Siġġiewi 18 (6-6), Depiro 15 (3-9), Qormi 12 (0-12).

Top scorers: M. Matijevic (Luxol) 249, S. Schembri (Luxol) 200, D Schembri (Luxol) 193.

Powerade League: Sunday, 4.15 p.m. Luxol vs Compleet.