BUPA suffer second upset

Holders BUPA Luxol suffered their second consecutive defeat in the space of four days as Siġġiewi Kent Boringer chalked up another victory to lead the provisional standings along with Athleta.

Siġġiewi Kent Boringer 70
BUPA Luxol 62
(11-20, 21-11, 15-17, 23-14)

Siġġiewi managed to keep hold of their nerves in the last quarter to pull away from Luxol.

This season, Luxol are finding the going tough after losing Player of the Year Marco Matijevic to Siġġiewi. He proved decisive in the crucial moments of this match against his former club.

John Tabone's team had the better start as Siġġiewi were rather slow in their build-up play. Luxol, in fact, led 20-11 by the end of the first quarter.

Siġġiewi played better as the second session got under way with their 3-2 zone defence surprising Luxol who could only muster a point in five minutes. Peter Farrugia's team forged ahead 23-21 but reckless passing and hurried shots allowed Luxol to stay in the match and only trail by a single point at half-time - 32-31.

Siġġiewi opened a 41-33 lead midway through the third quarter but were unable to administer their advantage as Luxol went 48-47 ahead after profiting fully from three technical fouls in favour.

But Siġġiewi regained composure and Matijevic came to the fore as Farrugia's team opened a seven-point lead which Luxol were unable to cancel.

Athleta Compleet IS 80
Loyola St James 64
(17-15, 25-13, 16-14, 22-22)

Loyola, boosted by the midweek victory over Luxol, had another good start, Kristen Baldacchino leading the charge against his former team. However, a poor patch as the second quarter ticked away, was Loyola's downfall.

After the fifth minute, Loyola took a 15-9 lead. Athleta regrouped after a time-out and forged ahead 17-15 at the end of the first session.

Turning the ball fast around Loyola's zone defence, Joe Galea's men ably exploited the gaps to notch 14 consecutive points. This was a difficult moment for Loyola as the experienced Athleta boys closed all gaps to their zone to lead 42-28 at half-time.

Loyola tried to get back in contention after the break but each time they managed to reduce the gap, Athleta reacted strongly to regain the upperhand on their way to a second consecutive victory in this early-season competition.

Standings: Siġġiewi (2-0) 4; Athleta (2-0) 4; Loyola (1-2) 4; Luxol (1-2) 4; Depiro (0-2) 2.

Luxol march on

Luxol obtained another convincing win, this time at the expense of Athleta.

In another match from the women's MBA Shield, McDonald's Depiro also chalked up their second victory after a hard-earned win over Allcare Insurance Loyola.

Luxol, under the hands of veteran Val Drury, were streets ahead of Athleta. Young pivot Steffi Demartino was very much in the picture with her 17 points.

Athleta potted the first four points of the match but that was the only time they had their noses in front as Luxol, the Shield holders, clicked into gear and led 41-21 at half-time.

Luxol continued to hold the upper hand, running out easy winners as the 72-33 scoreline clearly suggests.

Adrian Mifsud's Depiro met stiff resistance from Loyola who led 32-31 at half-time and 51-46 by the end of the third quarter.

Depiro were not finished though and after levelling matters at 58 all, they went on to claim a 73-65 victory.