Siġġiewi unable to avoid Athleta in play-offs

The first phase of the men’s National League came to a close last weekend with the remaining three matches in the calendar.

With Luxol and Loyola already out of the reckoning, the only issue to be determined was the semi-finals line-up.

Champions Athleta will continue their title defence with a best-of-three series against Siġġiewi while surprise package Floriana take on Depiro in the other match.

The opening matches from the semi-final play-offs get underway on Sunday.

Siġġiewi 70
Athleta A-Z Electronics 85
(29-23, 11-21, 13-27, 17-14)

Siġġiewi needed to win this last match from Phase One to avoid fourth place and a semi-final slot against the same Athleta.

However, after an encouraging start, Siġġiewi had to bow to stronger opponents.

They pulled away to lead 29-23 at the end of the first quarter but Athleta came rushing back and at the interval Joe Galea’s men were 44-40 ahead.

It was all even at this stage but then Siġġiewi lost concentration following some controversial decisions by the match officials.

Here one recommends uniformity by referees as the stakes will be much higher in the semi-finals.

Athleta raced to a 71-53 lead before the last quarter got underway. Siġġiewi surpassed a shaky patch but by now it was too late as Athleta already had the two points in their bags.

Siġġiewi: R. Agius, A. Cutajar, L. Camilleri 8, P. Shoults, E. Xuereb 5, A. Borg 12, K. Borg 3, C. Meier 17, M. Kodomaris, M. Matijevic 25.

Athleta: M. Naudi 21, I. Buldakov, D. Bugeja 8, M. Giusti, M. Todorovic 15, O. Said 13, D. Schembri 17, A. Bonnici 3, K. Baldacchino, S. Schembri 8.

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Floriana Fran. Fenech 78
BUPA Luxol 65
(11-19, 19-19, 19-12, 29-15)

Thanks to this victory on Friday, Floriana finished runners-up in the regular season as Luxol, without a hope of making the play-offs, looked more focused on the KO final.

Floriana started badly but when Evan Fjeld regained his touch the Greens imposed their superiority.

In fact, midway through the second session Luxol led 30-11 but Floriana regrouped and at half-time they had cut the deficit to eight points – 38-30.

Luxol continued to enjoy the lead (44-38) but as Floriana upped their game John Tabone’s team suddenly lost composure even though they still managed to lead by a point (50-49) for the last ten minutes.

But with Luxol in disarray, Floriana were now in cruise mode, going on to lead 66-55 before chalking up a sixth victory with a comfortable scoreline.

Floriana: J. Curmi, C. Sammut 19, I. Mercieca 6, S. Sammut 14, C Calleja 4, A. Baldacchino, E. Fjeld 31, A. Sultana, M. Ciantar 4.

Luxol: J.C. Cordina, M. Mercieca 10, J. Belin 30, A. Micallef Trigona 8, L. Ross 15, N. Vasovic 2, A. Costa, T. Paris, M. Attard Montaldo, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Capello.

Referees: G. Barbara, C. Terribile, S. Gouder.

Loyola Tata Motors 81
Depiro Mtarfa 78
(24-22, 17-15, 13-18, 27-23)

Loyola completed their Phase One commitments with a sound win over Depiro who still qualified in third place.

The lead changed hands several times but at the break it was Loyola who were in front 41-37.

Depiro hit back strongly to go five points ahead (50-54) before the last 10 minutes got underway.

They held a 67-63 lead with only a few minutes left but Loyola grew in confidence and forged ahead as Depiro were unable to finish the job.

Loyola: S. Pace 6, B. Zammit 5, D. Camilleri 6, M. Cilia, S. Borg 6, L. Azzopardi, A. Axiaq 19, J.P. Azzo-pardi 11, J. Anastasi 1, J. Ransley, R. Harris 27.

Depiro: R. Vella 13, J.P. Schembri 3, N. Sultana 4, A. Aquilina 15, A. Portelli 4, A. Micallef 6, E. Lupo 6, M. Mallia 2, I. Tanti 6, G. Hamlin 19.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Best player

Depiro captain Roderick Vella is the player of the month for February. Last month, Depiro gained a series of important wins to eventually book their place in the semi-final play-offs.

This was Vella’s fifth monthly award in his career.

He contributed to Depiro’s positive run by totalling 45 points, including seven from outside the arc to top the classification for three-point shooters in February.

Vella received the player of the month trophy from Martin Ferry, on behalf of sponsors You Shop We Ship.

Phase One

Final standings
Athleta 19 (9-1), Floriana 16 (6-4), Depiro 15 (5-5), Siġġiewi 15 (5-5), Luxol 13 (3-7), Loyola 12 (2-8).

Top scorers
J. Belin (BUPA Luxol) 320, E. Fjeld (Floriana ) 312, R. Harris (Loyola) 272, M. Matijevic (Siġ-ġiewi) 238.

Next fixtures
(Sunday − league SFs) 14.45 Athleta vs Siġġiewi, 16.30 Floriana vs Depiro.