Siġġiewi overcome Luxol as Athleta maintain perfect start

Siġġiewi Derby 65
BUPA Luxol 58
(19-8, 14-20, 13-14, 19-16)

Siġġiewi had the better of Luxol despite suffering a dip in the second and third quarters.

The match never reached the expected standards, especially from Siġġiewi who must raise their game if they want to defend their title.

Both teams were able to call on their foreign players who recovered from injuries. While Siġġiewi’s Marco Matijevic, who was facing his former team, had a good defensive game, Petar Apcev caused the champions problems with his drives. Apcev led the scoring with 27 points.

After Luxol potted the first basket, Siġġiewi enjoyed a 13-0 run thanks to their ability to punish their opponents on the break.

Luxol coach John Tabone called a time-out to address his team’s slump. This helped Luxol to settle down as they shared the exchanges until the fifth minute of the second quarter, 27-15.

Luxol exploited Siġġiewi’s erratic play to trim the deficit to five points, 28-33, at half-time. Siġġiewi lost Nigel Sultana to injury.

Peter Farrugia, the Siġġiewi coach, must have had a go at his players during the interval. Despite having Matijevic on the bench, the champions made a strong start to the third quarter to go 44-30 in front by the fifth minute.

Typically, Siġġiewi complicated matters for themselves with Luxol taking advantage as two consecutive Apcev three-pointers saw them close the gap to four points, 46-42, for the last 10 minutes.

Matijevic rejoined the fray for Siġġiewi but Antoine Costa’s three-pointer dragged Luxol 52-51 ahead.

Luxol’s lead was short-lived as Siġġiewi regrouped to score the next seven points and secure victory. Luxol lost Apcev who was fouled out in the final two minutes.

Siġġiewi: P. Shoults 9, J. Doughty, E. Xuereb 4, N. Sultana, A. Borg 14, A. Micallef 23, K. Borg, J. Jetsen, M. Matijevic 15.

Luxol: E. Bonello, M. Mercieca 4, R. Azzopardi 6, A. Micallef Trigona 2, P. Apcev 27, A. Costa 6, T. Paris 2, N. Vasovic 3, E. Caruana Montaldo, J.P. Bonnici 8, S. Mizzi.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile.

Loyola Tata Motors 50
Athleta A to Z Electronics 80
(12-22, 12-12, 4-23, 22-23)

As expected, leaders Athleta made it three wins on the trot after easing past bottom side Loyola.

Loyola once again faded after the interval with the experienced Athleta taking full advantage to wrap up their victory with relative ease.

After a balanced start, Athleta’s full-court zone unsettled Loyola’s playmakers and a 13-2 break saw them stretch their lead to 29-14 by the fifth minute of the second quarter.

Loyola came through this difficult moment to narrow the gap to 34-24 by lemon time.

Any hopes Loyola may have had of staying in touch evaporated in the third session as Athleta had an 11-2 break.

Loyola’s shooting was poor as Athleta began the last 10 minutes 57-28 ahead. Athleta brought on their substitutes for the last quarter but Loyola failed to profit.

Loyola: S. Pace 10, B. Zammit 9, D. Camilleri 8, S. Borg, M. Cilia , S. Vella 3, A. Axiaq 10, J. Anastasi 4, G. Mihajlovic, J. Ransley 4, A. Tabone 2.

Athleta: M. Naudi 16, J. Zammit, C. Galea 2, E. Bezzina 9, M. Giusti, D. Schembri 6, O. Said 14, C. Calleja 2, A. Bonnici 4, K. Baldacchino 11, S. Schembri 16.

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile.

Standings: Athleta 6 (3-0); Luxol 4 (1-2); Siġġiewi 3 (1-1); Depiro 3 (1-1); Loyola 2 (0-2).

Top scorers: M. Naudi (Athleta) 65; S. Schembri (Athleta) 58; O. Said (Athleta) 53; R. Azzopardi (Luxol) 45; A. Micallef (Siġġiewi) 42.

Next fixtures (National League): Saturday, 15.45 Depiro vs Siġġiewi. Sunday, 16.15 Luxol vs Loyola.