Loyola Tata Motors 116
Athleta A-Z Electronics 142
(56-81, 60-61)

Athleta had Addison Bonnici and David Bugeja unavailable but strong rebounder Matthew Zammit made a comeback after several months away from the game as Loyola played without their foreigner Kenyale Evans who, it seems, has terminated his contract with the club.

With Marco Todorovic domi-nating in the zone, Loyola fell apart as Athleta raced to a 44-27 half-time lead.

Athleta had their fringe players on court after the break but Loyola were still not able to lift their game and started the last session 20 points behind – 62-42.

Loyola’s play was confused, allowing Athleta to open a hand-some 81-56 cushion ahead of the second leg.

Coach Joe Galea opted to rest Todorovic on Sunday so it was Zammit’s turn to show his true worth underneath the boards.

The second leg was more balanced though as Athleta only enjoyed a slim 31-26 lead at half-time.

Loyola could not have hoped for a better start to the third quarter as they surprised Athleta to open a 40-33 lead.

But, Galea’s men soon recovered their poise and before the last quarter got underway they were 44-43 in front.

Victory could have gone either way after a very close fourth session. Helped by Billy Zammit’s three-pointers, Loyola forged ahead 60-58 with only a few seconds left.

But then, Omar Said was fouled. He potted the first free-throw but missed the next one only for Matthew Zammit to pounce on the rebound and score the winning basket.

Loyola: I. Baldakov, B. Zammit 29, A. Sarrio 30, C. Cassar 2, S. Borg 5, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella 7, A. Axiaq 15, J.P. Azzopardi 25, M. Grech, J. Ransley 3, V. Nikolic.

Athleta: M. Kaster, M. Todorovic 30, M. Giusti 3, O. Said 26, S. Pace 19, K. Baldacchino 13, M. Zammit 28, S. Schembri 23, Z. Borg, S. Hagul.

BUPA Luxol 111
Siġġiewi 139
(59-78, 52-61)

More was expected from Luxol after their league upset to Depiro. However, their outside shooting again let the team down.

Siġġiewi, with Chris Meier profiting from Luxol’s weaknesses in the zone, had a good start to end the first quarter 19-10 ahead.

Stephen Shackleford, Luxol’s chief points getter, was tightly marked by Peter Shoults and they struggled to conclude their moves in attack. Until half-time, Marco Matijevic and his team-mates had done well enough to take a 39-26 lead.

Luxol’s reaction failed to materialise as Siġġiewi extended their 60-34 advantage to a 78-59 win that practically paved the way for their passage to the next round.

Luxol seemed to have found their rhythm on Sunday and enjoyed a 24-20 lead at half-time.

But Siġġiewi hit their best patch after the break to cancel the deficit and start the last ten minutes leading 43-38.

The start of the last quarter saw Siġġiewi potting the first eight points, dashing any hopes Luxol might have had of at least avoiding defeat in the return leg.

Floriana and Depiro are also through to the semi-finals after receiving byes in the preliminary round draw.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 12, M. Mercieca 6, E. Bonello, J. Willoughby, S. Shackleford 43, J.P. Schembri, N. Vasovic 27, T. Paris 4, A. Micallef Trigona, J.P. Bonnici 19, S. Capello.

Siġġiewi: R. Agius, L. Ross 25, P. Shoults 29, E. Xuereb 2, C. Agius, A. Borg 12, C. Meier 33, M. Matijevic 38.

Next fixtures
Thursday, BOV KO preliminary round: 1pm Luxol vs Depiro; 4.30pm Siġġiewi vs Depiro.

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