Siġġiewi 55
Athleta A-Z Electronics 64
(17-15, 4-23, 22-12, 12-14)

A disastrous second quarter by Siġġiewi allowed Athleta to take control of the match despite losing pivot Addison Bonnici to injury very early in the match.

Siġġiewi had initially profited from Bonnici’s forfeit but yet again, their approach became too predictable as the game progressed.

After a promising start for Siġġiewi, Chris Maeir lost his duel with Kristin Baldacchino who grabbed several rebounds which sparked Athleta’s recovery.

Maier’s early dominance underneath the boards had given Siġġiewi an edge as they moved 17-10 ahead. But, five consecutive Baldacchino points bridged the gap to just two points, 17-15, by the end of the first session.

Although Siġġiewi potted the first basket of the second session, Athleta capitalised on their opponents’ erratic shooting to open a sizeable lead, 38-21, by the half-way mark.

Siġġiewi improved after the interval. They took advantage of Baldacchino’s fourth foul to hit a good patch and close the gap to 50-43 for the last 10 minutes.

With both sides messing up their conclusions, the first five minutes of the last quarter offered little entertainment.

Playmaker Alan Borg kept Siġġiewi in contention but Athleta soon regained their rhythm in attack to seize the initiative. They did well to get the ball to the in-form Omar Said who obliged with three-pointers.

Siġġiewi: R. Agius, L. Ross 4, L. Camilleri 1, P. Shoults, E. Xuereb 4, C. Agius 3, A. Borg 13, C. Maier 16, A. Fekete 2, M. Matijevic 12.

Athleta: M. Kraster, D. Bugeja 4, M. Todorovic 17, M. Giusti, S. Hagul, O. Said 21, S. Pace 2, A. Bonnici, K. Baldacchino 16, Z. Borg, S. Schembri 4.

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

Floriana FRAN. Fenech 88
Pavi Depiro 79
(19-16, 22-19, 17-19, 30-25)

Floriana survived some anxious moments in the final minutes of this high-scoring and entertaining match, and, inspired by the points of Bevan Scott Camilleri, they went on to claim their first victory to atone for their upset to Luxol in their opening match the previous week.

Depiro are still seeking their first victory after a very poor showing underneath the boards which dashed all their aspira-tions of beating Floriana.

After Depiro opened a narrow lead, 12-9, Floriana fought back to overturn their early deficit, finishing the first quarter 19-16 ahead.

The proceedings were balanced with Floriana holding the upperhand to change ends 41-35 in front.

Floriana enjoyed the better start to the third quarter, extending their advantage to 46-35.

With Floriana’s lofty players hit by fouls, Depiro managed to narrow the gap to 48-46.

A time-out steadied Floriana’s nerves as they recovered to start the final 10 minutes 58-54 ahead.

At this stage, Floriana coach Paul Ferrante stuck with his best players despite their situation with fouls. Depiro failed to profit as Floriana stayed in front, 66-63, with five minutes remaining.

With Depiro missing easy pots from inside the zone, they were punished from the free-throw line with Camilleri’s points sealing Floriana’s success.

Floriana: B. Scott Camilleri 22, D. Camilleri 10, C. Sammut 10, I. Mercieca 2, S. Sammut, C. Calleja, D. Schembri 13, P. Thomas 31, M. Ciantar, S. Saakian.

Depiro: R. Vella 11, N. Sultana 14, K. Kun, A. Aquilina 8, A. Portelli 2, A. Micallef 11, E. Lupo, M. Mallia, I. Tanti 1, S. Morgan 32.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, S. Gouder.

Loyola Tata Motors 57
Bupa Luxol 65
(9-23, 20-11, 11-9, 17-22)

After a strong start, Luxol lost their plot, allowing Loyola to force their way back into contention.

Were it not for Loyola’s hesitant play, Luxol may well have finished empty-handed but they were able to exploit their opponents’ erratic game in the closing stages to chalk up their second victory.

With Loyola sloppy in attack, Marco Mercieca and Stephen Shackleford pummelled the opposing defence to fire Luxol to a strong opening, 23-9 the score at the end of the first quarter.

The Loyola coach introduced Spanish player Antonio Sarrio for the below-par Kenyale Evans and the change left the desired effect.

Loyola’s game became more fluid and they also retrieved several rebounds to reduce the gap to five points, 34-29.

With Luxol’s reaction failing to materialise after the break, Loyola stayed in touch and were only three points behind, 43-40, ahead of the final quarter.

Loyola continued to press. After levelling matters at 48-all, they nosed in front 53-51 but their chances suffered a blow when Anton Axiaq left the court after suffering an injury.

To make matters worse for Loyola, playmaker Stephen Vella lost his touch in the final minutes and Luxol pulled away for victory.

Loyola: I. Baldakov 4, B. Zammit 3, A. Sarrio 11, C. Cassar, S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella 2, A. Axiaq 16, J.P. Azzopardi 7, V. Nikolic, J. Ransley 2, K. Evans 12.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 12, M. Mercieca 9, E. Bonello, J. Willoughby, S. Shackleford 25, J.P. Schembri, N. Vasovic 14, T. Paris, J.P. Bonnici 5, S. Capello.

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbo-naro, C. Terribile.

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

Top scorers
S. Shackleford (Luxol) 67; P. Thomas (Floriana) 56; S. Morgan (Depiro) 54.

Next fixture
Sunday (16.30) – MBA Shield final, Athleta vs Depiro.