Siġġiewi first team to reach men's final

Athleta Compleet IS 65
Siġġiewi Kent Boringer 74
(20-14, 13-14, 18-20, 14-26)

Siġġiewi Kent Boringer are the first team to book a place in the final following their victory over Athleta Compleet IS on Sunday.

This was Athleta's second consecutive defeat in the space of three days following their upset to champions BUPA Luxol in their previous match.

Siġġiewi opened a 10-3 lead early on but after a time-out Athleta hit a 17-2 break and retained control till half-time even though both sides left much to be desired in their shooting.

As the third quarter got underway, three Siġġiewi three-pointers put Peter Farrugia's team in front but Athleta battled back to start the last ten minutes leading 51-48.

Athleta looked on their way to victory when they potted the first two baskets of the last session, 55-48.

But Siġġiewi had other ideas and with Marco Matijevic and Peter Shoults raising standards, Athleta lost the momentum.

Siġġiewi opened a ten-point lead, 69-59, before administering their advantage and fending off Athleta's feeble challenge in the last five minutes.

Athleta: M. Naudi 16, C. Doughty 13, E. Bezzina, M. Giusti, C. Galea, O. Said 9, C. Calleja, A. Bonnici 16, J. Zammit, S. Cassar 11.

Siġġiewi: P. Shoults 9, J.P. Antoncich, L. Camilleri 17, E. Xuereb, A. Tabone 6, K. Borg, A. Micallef 3, L. Ross 17, A. Costa, J. Jetsen 6, M. Matijevic 16.

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

BUPA Luxol 77
Athleta Compleet IS 75
(24-10, 23-15, 11-17, 19-33)

Luxol had coach John Tabone and playmaker Alan Borg suspended for this match, played last Friday. However, the champions were still strong enough to surprise Athleta who never settled down and found it hard to free a player for an easy shot in attack.

Luxol dictated matters freely and comfortably led 47-25 at half-time. Athleta regrouped after the interval as Luxol suddenly lost composure. This helped Joe Galea's team to pull back to 63-59 midway through the third session.

But a time-out helped Luxol to regain confidence and they potted the next five points to set up a tense finale.

With only a few seconds to go and Luxol leading 76-75, Luxol forward Steve Schembri potted the first of two free-throws but missed the second.

The champions almost paid dearly for that miss as Michael Naudi pounced on the loose ball and his attempt from the distance hit the ring and, fortunately for Luxol, fell away.

Luxol: M. Mercieca 4, R. Azzopardi 9, A. Portelli 2, N. Vasovic, T. Paris, D. Schembri 18, E. Caruana Montaldo, J.P. Bonnici 19, S. Schembri 25.

Athleta: M. Naudi 31, C. Doughty 2, E. Bezzina, M. Giusti, C. Galea, O. Said 17, C. Calleja 5, A. Bonnici 10, J. Zammit 2, S. Cassar 8.

Referees: G. Barbara, J.P. Sammut, A. Carbonaro.

Standings: Siġġiewi 25, Athleta 23, Luxol 19.

Today: 19.45 Luxol vs Siġġiewi.