Siġġiewi Kent Boringer 47
Athleta Compleet IS 61

(4-24, 9-17, 10-12, 24-8)

Athleta are sole leaders of the National League after easily disposing of Siġġiewi Kent Boringer's feeble challenge.

Those who braved the cold weather to watch this match expected a better fare from the top two teams in the championship.

However, while Athleta showed grit and determination, Siġġiewi, without pivot Marco Matijevic, lacked ideas and were never in the match.

Though Athleta had strong rebounder Addison Bonnici missing, this did not affect their play as Omar Said and Michael Naudi were in a class of their own.

The first basket was potted by Siġġiewi but from then on it was all Athleta. They were turning the ball easily, finding gaps in a standstill Siġġiewi defence.

After leading 24-4 by the end of the first quarter, Athleta continued to dictate matters as Siġġiewi's reaction never materialised and the teams changed ends 41-13 for Athleta.

Joe Galea's team slowed down the tempo after the interval and it was only in the last quarter that Siġġiewi woke up to make the score look more respectable.

Siġġiewi: P. Shoults 8, J.P. Antoncich, L. Camilleri, A. Tabone 16, K. Borg 1, A. Micallef 2, L. Ross 11, A. Costa 3, J. Jetsen 6, E. Baldacchino.

Athleta: M. Naudi 16, C. Doughty 4, E. Bezzina 4, M. Giusti, C. Galea, O. Said 26, C. Calleja 2, J. Zammit, S. Cassar 9.

Referees: G. Barbara, J.P. Sammut, A. Carbonaro.

Loyola St James 61
BUPA Luxol 76

(10-18, 19-14, 15-20, 17-24)

Luxol struggled to fend off the bold challenge of bottom-placed Loyola who were found wanting in stamina in the latter stages of the match.

Loyola sorely felt the absence of shooter David Camilleri and pivot Jonathan Ransley.

Luxol settled down first and led 15-3 by the fifth minute but Loyola, after a time-out, improved and the champions lost their pace. At half-time, it was only a three-pointer by Dirk Schembri (32-29) that separated both sides.

Loyola levelled the scores at 37-all but Luxol suddenly found their shooting touch to start the last ten minutes 52-44 ahead. Loyola withered under the pressure as Luxol continued to pot the points to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Loyola: S. Pace 4, B. Zammit 2, S. Borg, G. Cuschieri, N. Sultana 16, S. Vella, A. Axiaq 2, G. Mihajlovic 19, K. Baldacchino 18, M. Cini.

Luxol: M. Mercieca 5, R. Azzopardi 18, A. Spiteri 2, A. Borg 7, A. Portelli, N. Vasovic, T. Paris 2, D. Schembri 21, A. Cremona, J.P. Bonnici 3, S. Schembri 18.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, A. Micallef.

Standings: Athleta 11 (5-1); Siġġiewi 10 (4-2); Luxol 8 (3-2); Depiro 7 (2-3); Loyola 6 (0-6).

Top scorers: M. Naudi (Athleta) 113, O. Said (Athleta) 102, D. Schembri (Luxol) 101.

Next fixtures: National League - Sunday, 16.15 Siġġiewi vs Luxol.

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