The 2013-14 Malta Basketball Association national leagues enter a decisive phase this week when the opening ties from the semi-final play-offs, in both the men and women’s champion-ships, will be played at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

In the St James League, women’s champions Depiro take on Caffe Moak Luxol in their opening match from the three-game series this evening.

Depiro will be looking to reach a second successive champion-ship final.

The Rabat side go into their semi-final series with a psychological edge over their opponents after they beat Luxol in the two-legged Louis Borg Cup final earlier this month.

In the opening match today, Athleta start favourites against Hibernians.

Athleta and Hibs faced each other in the final league match of the opening phase a couple of weeks back with the former team cruising to a 53-41 victory.

On that occasion, Athleta laid the foundations of their victory on a strong showing in the third session which propelled them to a comfortable win that made sure they finished top of the standings at the end of the regular season.

The men’s BOV league will have new champions this season after Royce Floriana failed to make the cut following a very poor showing by their own standards in the qualifying stages.

Depiro were the top team at the end of the first phase.

However, their task of reaching the final will be anything but easy as they face a rejuvenated Luxol side in the semi-final series which starts tomorrow.

John Tabone’s team have shown remarkable progress since the towering Sam Deguara joined them in January and in Michael Myers Keitt they also have the leading scorer so far in the championship with 294 points.

Luxol go into the best-of-three clash full of confidence after they came from behind to beat Athleta in the Louis Borg Cup final.

The other men’s semi-final pits against each other Athleta and Siġġiewi.

Although Athleta are ranked as favourites after pipping their opponents to an insignificant second place in the regular season by a mere point, one anticipates a close battle between these two seasoned campaigners.

Athleta won their opening league meeting this season 77-74 but Siġġiewi bounced back in the return match after defeating Joe Galea’s team 82-68.

Regular season

Men’s League: Depiro 18 (8-2); Athleta 17 (7-3); Siġġiewi 16 (6-4); Luxol 15 (5-5); Floriana 13 (3-7); Starlites 11 (1-9).
Women’s League: Athleta 19 (9-1); Luxol 18 (8-2); Depiro 16 (6-4); Hibs 14 (4-6); Starlites 13 (3-7); Phoenix 10 (0-10).

Programme

Today: Women SFs 6.30pm Athleta vs Hibernians; 8.15pm Luxol vs Depiro.
Tomorrow: Men’s SFs 6.30pm Depiro vs Luxol; 8.15pm Athleta vs Siġġiewi.

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