Athleta thrash Luxol

Siġġiewi Kent Boringer 77
Depiro Mtarfa 72
(16-20, 15-18, 16-13, 15-11 - 15-10)

Without injured duo Marco Matijevic and Peter Shoults, Siġġiewi found themselves struggling to beat the challenge of Depiro.

Peter Farrugia's Siġġiewi were the first team to settle down but Depiro, through their captain Roderick Vella, soon seized the initiative to lead 20-16 after the first quarter.

Siġġiewi had Adrian Micallef's baskets to thank for keeping them within striking distance as Depiro continued where they had left off after the interval to extend their lead to 48-35.

But Siġġiewi shot in front in the last couple minutes. It seemed all over now for Depiro but Micallef lost possession and Marko Arsoviski forced extra-time - 62-62.

However, Depiro wilted under the pressure and two consecutive three-pointers and a ten-point run opened the way towards victory for Farrugia's team.

BUPA Luxol 59
Athleta Compleet IS 92
(10-21, 13-23, 7-21, 29-27)

A below par Luxol were no match for a rampant Athleta team. John Tabone's men lacked cohesion, falling easy prey to hungry opponents.

Luxol took more than five minutes to pot their first points and to make things even worse for them they were already foul-hit by the end of the third session.

Meanwhile, Michael Naudi and Addison Bonnici had led Athleta to the driving seat and by half-time they led 44-23.

Luxol were stunned and unable to stage a reaction as Athleta's lead continued to increase to 78-37 with five minutes to go. Strangely, at that stage Luxol woke up to make the score look more respectable.

In the semi-finals, scheduled for next February, Athleta clash against BUPA again and Siġġiewi take on Depiro.

National league: Saturday 4.15 p.m. - Siġġiewi vs Depiro. Sunday 4.15 p.m. - Loyola vs Athleta Compleet.