Depiro upset title hopefuls Siġġiewi

Siġġiewi K. Boringer 47
Depiro Mtarfa 58
(19-14, 12-13, 14-11, 2-20)

Depiro produced a rousing display in the final quarter to see off the challenge of title hopefuls Siġġiewi Kent Boringer in their opening league match and avenge their extra-time defeat to the same opponents in the MBA Shield.

Siġġiewi were again hindered by the absence of the injured Marco Matijevic but playmaker Peter Shoults returned after recovering from injury.

Depiro were at full strength. After a balanced start, Siġġiewi began to pull away in the last minutes of the first quarter with Adrian Micallef leading their charge Siġġiewi ended the first session 19-14 ahead.

After Siġġiewi had increased their lead to nine points, 25-16, midway through the second session, Marco Arsovski’s three-pointers helped Depiro to hit back and close the gap to four points by half-time, 31-27.

Depiro continued to enjoy a slight edge after the interval. They got to within a single point of Siġġiewi, 35-34, but the latter made a reaction to lead 45-38 at the start of the final 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Siġġiewi lost playmaker Louis Camilleri to injury.

Siġġiewi coach Peter Farrugia replaced veteran Karl Borg, who was having a good game, with Shoults. This move backfired on Siġġiewi whose tendency to rush the ball to pivot Jide Jetsen didn’t aid their efforts to preserve their lead.

Depiro took advantage as they recovered possession time and again before mounting a series of fast breaks that pushed them 46-45 ahead with five minutes left.

Although Borg reappeared on court, Siġġiewi had pressed the panic button. Depiro dominated the remaining minutes to secure a morale-boosting victory.

Siġġiewi: P. Shoults 2, J.P. Antoncich, L. Camilleri 6, J. Doughty, E. Xuereb 2, A. Tabone 4, K. Borg 3, A. Micallef 16, A. Costa 3, J. Jetsen 11.

Depiro: R. Vella 15, J.P. Schembri, D. Bugeja, M. Arsovski 23, A. Aquilina 3, R. Galea, J. Gatt 4, J. Dalli 2, E. Lupo 1, M. Mallia 2, I. Tanti 8, D. Agius.

Referees: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef, A. Micallef.

Loyola St James 35
Athleta Compleet IS 91
(7-11, 11-29, 6-20, 11-31)

Athleta continued where they left off in the MBA Shield by having the better of a young and inexperienced Loyola team.

Despite playing without playmaker Julian Naudi, Athleta still had enough ammunition to begin their league campaign with a victory as Loyola were unable to stop Michael Naudi and Omar Said. Naudi finished with 37 points, more than Loyola’s scoring total.

Loyola tried to keep in touch with their opponents early on and a Nigel Sultana three-pointer kept them within striking distance, 14-13 for Athleta.

A technical foul was then called on Athleta coach Joe Galea but his players responded quickly to race to a commanding 40-18 lead at half-time.

With Loyola unable to raise their game, Athleta continued to dictate matters, going on to chalk up a comfortable victory.

Loyola: S. Pace, B. Zammit, S. Borg, C. Cassar 1, G. Cuschieri, N. Sultana 19, S. Vella 1, A. Axiaq 1, G. Mihajlovic 4, C. Baldacchino 6, J. Ransley 2, M. Cilia 1.

Athleta: M. Naudi 37, E. Bezzina 7, A. Giusti 3, C. Galea, O. Said 21, C. Calleja 1, A. Bonnici 8, J. Zammit 5, S. Cassar 9.

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

Next fixtures: Friday (BOV KO preliminary round) 7.45 p.m. Athleta vs Siġġiewi.