Reigning champions Royce Floriana continued to fall behind in the race for the play-offs after their upset to Remax Siġġiewi. BUPA Luxol proved too strong for Starlites but the top-of-the-table clash between PAVI Depiro and Athleta A-Z Electronics was postponed.

Siġġiewi stayed in contention for the championship play-offs with victory over Floriana. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Royce Floriana 70
Remax Siġġiewi 74

(11-19, 26-19, 16-15, 17-21)

This was a match both sides had to win to to stay in contention for a top-three place. In the end, it was Siġġiewi who returned home with the two points in their bags after prevailing over their opponents in a frantic finale.

Floriana continued to fire blanks and they’re still searching for their first victory this year.

Siġġiewi broke the early equilibrium with six consecutive points and they continued to run the show to lead 19-11 at the end of the first quarter.

But the champions hit back strongly and levelled matters at 19-all after a superb start to the second restart. Siġġiewi surpassed a difficult moment to regain the lead, 29-25, but Floriana were not overwhelmed and came back to forge ahead 37-33.

The sprint in the final minutes before half-time saw Siġġiewi the more effective team but their lead at the break was only a mere point – 38-37.

No team dominated in the third session and the score was tied at 53-53 before the last ten-minute quarter got underway.

Floriana showed some great team-work to take a 62-55 lead.

However, a time-out helped Siġġiewi halt the rot and seize the initiative before potting nine consecutive points that paved the way to a hard-earned victory over the Greens. The latter now need something of a miracle to reach the play-offs.

Floriana: O. Shamala, D. Elston 16, D. Camilleri 5, P. Shoults 12, S. Borg 4, B. Zammit 5, C. Calleja 4, D. Schembri 18, D. Agius 6.

Siġġiewi: C. Maier 7, A. Debattista, S. Sammut 3, C. Sammut 6, E. Xuereb, L. Camilleri 8, A. Borg 2, L. Ross 12, J.P. Antoncich 1, I. Hoeger 25, M. Matijevic 10.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Bupa Luxol 70
Starlites 38

(18-10, 7-6, 20-9, 25-13)

As expected, Luxol proved too strong for Starlites whose shooters had an off day on Sunday.

Luxol were not in their best mood either, particularly Michael Meyers Keitt. It was only Nicola Vasovic who had a discreet percentage as Samuel Deguara continued to dominated in the zone and potted 30 points for the winners.

Luxol opened an eight-point lead at the end of the first session but play deteriorated before half-time, so much so that both teams only managed 13 points between them.

Luxol led 25-16 at half-time.

Play did not improve too much after the interval as Starlites took seven minutes to open their account... from free-throws.

Luxol profited from their oppo-nents’ woes to open a cushion 45-25 lead for the final ten minutes.

With Starlites unable to produce some kind of resistance, Luxol cruised to victory that keeps them in contention for the top-three positions.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 3, M. Mercieca 2, A. Micallef 2, J. Willoughby, J.P. Schembri, A. Vasovic 16, J.P. Bonnici, M. Meyers Keitt 17, A. Micallef Trigona, S. Deguara 30, S. Capello.

Starlites: M. Todorovic 12, R. Loporto 2, R. Bonnici 2, A. Schembri, S. Bonnici 5, A. Cutajar, M. Vassallo, B. Soler 2, J. Zammit 3, G. Coleiro 12.

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

Standings: PAVI Depiro 11 (5-1), Athleta 11 (5-1), Siġġiewi 11 (4-3), Luxol 11 (4-3), Floriana 9 (2-5), Starlites 8 (1-6).

Top scorers: M. Meyers Keitt (Luxol) 208, D. Elston (Floriana) 190, M. Todorovic (Starlites) 186, I. Hoeger (Siġġiewi) 148, T. Morris (Depiro) 142.

Louis Borg Cup
Sunday (first legs) – 13.00 BUPA Luxol vs Royce Floriana, 14.30 Remax Siġġiewi vs Athleta A-Z Electronics.
Monday (second legs) – 13.00 Royce Floriana vs BUPA Luxol, 16.30 Athleta A-Z Electronics vs Remax Siġġiewi.