Battling Depiro stun Siggiewi

Siggiewi Smina 57
Depiro 65
(14-11, 10-18, 15-10, 18-26)

Depiro clinched a place in a major final after a lapse of several years following their surprise win over Siggiewi Smina last weekend.

BUPA Luxol overcame strong resistance from Mellieha SVS Reflections to book their place in the cup final which will be played on April 13.

Siggiewi Smina 57
Depiro 65
(14-11, 10-18, 15-10, 18-26)

Siggiewi Smina were on the receiving end of another surprise loss to Depiro on Saturday. The absence of Peter Shoults, David Camilleri and Albert Spiteri hampered Siggiewi who produced a below-par display.

Most of their players were never in the match, particularly when the going got tough. True, Siggiewi were hard hit by some inconsistent refereeing but had they stayed focused, the outcome might have been different. Also questionable is Siggiewi's failure to stop Roderick Vella who potted 25 points for Depiro.

With both sides taking some time to settle down, points were hard to come by but Siggiewi's improvement gave them a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second session continued on the same lines but Depiro assumed control in the last five minutes before half-time with a series of three-pointers to lead 29-24.

Siggiewi looked more aggressive after the break. They recovered to level before the end of the session, 39-all. Their switch to a 3-2 zone defence surprised Depiro as Siggiewi opened up a 51-45 lead thanks to a Billy Zammit three-pointer.

Depiro coach Dalibor Mijatovic called a time-out to organise his team's attacking play. Suddenly, Siggiewi were pegged back by Mirco Arsovski's baskets.

After that, the favourites never gave the impression that they could turn the tide, much to the delight of the Depiro supporters.

Perhaps, Siggiewi paid a high price for failing to put pressure on Arsovski who had four fouls.

Siggiewi: L. Camilleri 17, J. Doughty 1, A. Portelli 10, I. Mercieca 9, B. Zammit 3, J.P. Bonnici 5, L. Grech, A. Bonnici 12.

Depiro: R. Vella 25, D. Debono, I. Tanti, G. Muscat, A. Aquilina 3, A. Tabone, J. Gatt 10, M. Arsovski 27, E. Lupo, A. Costa, M. Mallia, M. Sammut.

Refs: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, J.P. Sammut.

BUPA Luxol 85
Mellieha SVS 74
(22-19, 16-20, 20-15, 27-20)

With Alan Borg and Robert Azzopardi suspended, Luxol struggled to impose their superiority on a lively Mellieha side who were playing without pivot Trevor Degiorgio and forward Roberto Loporto.

Strong play by Marco Matijevic and Dirk Schembri gave Luxol a headstart but a time-out by Mellieha left the desired effect. However, Luxol added four points without reply to go 22-19 ahead at the end of the quarter.

Mellieha continued to give a good account of themselves as a series of three pointers put them ahead.

Luxol recovered lost ground but still trailed 39-38 at half-time. They opened strongly after the interval to regain the lead, 53-48. Mellieha kept battling hard and only trailed by four points, 58-54, in the opening stages of the last quarter.

When Jide Jetsen committed his fifth foul, Luxol's Matijevic and Dirk Schembri came more into the picture to make sure of their team's victory.

Luxol: R. Dalli 4, M. Mercieca 6, A. Bianchi 2, M. Bonnici, T. Paris, D. Schembri 21, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matijevic 36, S. Schembri 16.

Mellieha: C. Sammut 29, J. Naudi 9, S. Sammut 15, S.Aquilina, E. Xuereb 6, J. Muscat, B. Aquilina, M. Cauchi, J. Jetsen 10, M. Pisani 5.

Refs: S. Micallef, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.

Gatorade League

Friday: 7.45 p.m. Floriana vs Siggiewi.
Saturday: 4.15 p.m. Depiro vs Mellieha.
Sunday: 4.15 p.m. Compleet vs Luxol.