Athleta A-Z Electronics 46
Siġġiewi 49
(12-11, 17-5, 13-18, 4-15)
Siġġiewi took revenge for their Super Cup defeat to Athleta after coming from behind to beat them 49-46 in the opening match from the MBA Shield group qualifiers.
Athleta, the Shield holders, had Steve Schembri missing but Steve Gouder was on the bench after his move from Starlites. Siġġiewi had Jide Jetsen back after missing the Super Cup match.
After a balanced start, Athleta opened the second session strongly and with Peter Farrugia’s men messing up most of their attacks, they held a 29-16 half-time lead.
Siġġiewi looked better after the interval and in the last minutes of the third quarter they reduced the gap to eight points, 42-34.
With both teams erratic in their play, Athleta still looked good enough to protect their slender lead but when they lost playmaker Omar Said through fouls, the team lost composure.
Siġġiewi took their chances well and nine consecutive points sealed their comeback victory to give Athleta an unexpected jolt.
Athleta: M. Naudi 13, D. Bugeja, A. Fakete 4, D. Schembri 4, M. Giusti, O. Said 17, C. Calleja, A. Bonnici 6, K. Baldacchino 2, S. Gouder.
Siġġiewi: R. Agius, L. Camilleri 9, P. Shoults 4, N. Sultana 9, A. Borg 2, C. Maeir 6, C. Kadamaris, J. Jetsen, M. Majtevic 19.
Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.
BUPA Luxol 29
Depiro Mtarfa 69
(5-20, 9-17, 10-15, 5-17)
This young Luxol side were no match for the faster and better-equipped Depiro as John Tabone’s team sorely felt the absence of rebounder Andrew Cremona and veteran Robert Azzopardi who retired from the game.
Luxol, still waiting to sign their new foreigners, were poor in their shooting and only managed one from 36 attempts from outside the arc. They never really settled down with the more agile Depiro opening their opponents’ slow defence at random through their fast breaks and quick passing.
Luxol never managed to raise their standards and Depiro led 37-14 at the interval.
After the break, one expected a reaction from Luxol but this never happened, allowing Depiro to dominate for a comfortable victory.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina, M. Mercieca 1, S. Mizzi, A. Micallef Trigona 2, L. Ross 2, A. Costa 2, N. Vasovic 2, T. Paris 2, M. Attard Montaldo, E. Caruana Montaldo, J.P. Bonnici 18, S. Capello.
Depiro: R. Vella 22, J.P. Schembri 5, D. Agius, A. Aquilina 8, A. Portelli 14, E. Lupo 5, M. Mallia 5, I. Tanti 10.
Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbo-naro, C. Terribile.
Women’s Shield
Luxol started their commitments with a comfortable victory over newcomers Qormi Phoenix Mendoza while Loyola had the better of Depiro and Hibs beat Athleta.
Luxol, fresh from their Super Cup victory, were never troubled by Qormi and at half-time they were 49-14 ahead.
Christof Storp’s girls continued to dictate matters after the break for a clear 88-27 victory.
Loyola, strengthened with the return of Christine Grima and new signing Emma Moore, gave clear indications that they will be among the contenders this season following a 51-42 victory over Depiro.
Loyola, who had coach Ruth Spiteri making her debut, led Depiro 9-2 before the latter came back to go 15-11 in front at the end of the quarter.
Loyola recovered lost ground as the second quarter got underway and even went in at the break leading 25-20.
After a balanced third quarter, Spiteri’s team secured a morale-boosting victory with nine consecutive points midway through the last session.
Hibs found stiff resistance from Athleta who had Alaksandra Ratmaska, a forward from Poland, leaving a good impression on her debut.
Hibs had the better start to open a 31-21 lead at the interval. The match developed into a tight affair with Athleta crawling to just a point behind at the end of the last quarter, 44-43.
But, Hibs’ reaction saw them gaining the upperhand for a 67-59 win. Athleta, however, should be encouraged with their performance.
Next fixtures
Saturday: MBA Shield (Women) 13.45 Qormi vs Loyola. (Men) 15.30 Depiro vs Floriana.
Sunday: MBA Shield (Women) 13.00 Athleta vs Starlites; 14.45 Depiro vs Luxol. (Men) 16.30 Siġġiewi vs Loyola.