Game Press reports 14 April 2007 - EnglishThis is a featured page

Gatorade Championship Pool - 1 Div. Men
Dakar Sliema 79 Siggiewi Smina 67
(16-20)(15-9)(27-7)(21-31)
Sliema showed their deep experience of the game, as they subdued Siggiewi in a sometimes one-sided encounter. The final score does not give the true picture of the proceedings. It was only in the last session that Sliema relaxed their hold, enabling Siggiewi to make the score a more interesting one. Sliema are already sure of a place in the final, but Siggiewi have yet to book their place. On the game's showing they have to buck up their ideas, as Sliema's cloying defensive system flustered Siggiewi, whose high balls and cross passes became easy prey to their opponents, helping them to pull away, making it an easier match.
There was the return of Tino Riolo, back from abroad, for Sliema.
It was a fast game from the start, as Siggiewi took the first lead, at 5-2. Sliema replied with an Omar Said trey, but Siggiewi made theirs through Addison Bonnici and David Camilleri, when they led 11-10. An 8-0 run enhanced Siggiewi's lead, but Sliema had the better ending to the session, and reduced their arrears to a four point margin.
In the second quarter Sliema overhauled their opponents, with a 9-0 run, including a second Said trey. Addison Bonnici stopped the run with his points, but Sliema still held on to their lead. Lost free shots did not help Siggiewi's cause, and Sliema held on . Late in the quarter a succession of fouls in favour enabled Siggiewi to claw their way back, and at the inetrval Sliema's advantage was a single hoop difference, at 31-29.
After the break Siggiewi's hasty play, and insistence in piercing the zone played into Sliema's hands. The latter's cool finishing, after they started with a Duncan Cuschieri trey, helped them to a sound 20-2 run, which took thenm to the latter stages of the quarter. Siggiewi had the stuffing knocked out of them, and Peter Shoults' trey was scant consolation, as Sliema ended the session on a strong 58-36 lead.
In the final quarter Siggiewi had to produce a better display, to hold their heads higher. They made a better scoring rate, but Sliema's points were still coming in. Both sides lost players on fouls, as Camilleri sank a couple of treys for Siggiewi. Sliema's advantage was prohibitive, and they pur their subs on court, already assured of a good day's showing. Siggiewi sank their hoops at the end for a better adverse result, as they succumbed for the fifth time in eight encounters against Sliema.
SLIEMA: 14 M. Naudi, 1 J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 4 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, 1 T. Riolo, 31 O. Said, A. Micallef, 9 D. Cuschieri, 6 K. Baldacchino, 6 S. Cassar, 7 J. gatt
SIGGIEWI: 2 A. Spiteri, 3 S. Sammut, 21 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 7 A. Portelli, JP Azzopardi, 7 P. Shoults, 4 JP Bonnici, 23 A. Bonnici, A. Huizer, E. Xuereb
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef
Standings: 23 Dakar Sliema, 20 Siggiewi Smina, 16 Bupa Luxol
Gatorade Relegation Pool - 1 Div. Men
Depiro 72 Qormi Kia 55
(25-5)(13-7)(13-19)(21-24)
Depiro jumped to the top of the table, and evened out the wins in the first part of this phase. They now need just one more win, to be safe from relegation worries. Qormi are still above Floriana, but only a point separates them. Qormi's disastrous start settled the match, as Depior could control the rest of the game, and forget the shock defeat against Floriana.
Depiro swept Qormi off their feet straight from the start, with Emanuel Lupo's personal points, and a helping hand from the other players. Depiro raced into a strong 15-0 advantage, before Qormi could reply briefly. Depiro took up the reins once again, and a Roderick Vella trey began an 8-0 run, which was only stopped in the very last seconds, with a Wayne Grixti hoop.
In the second quarter Qormi were still being hit hard. An opening Qormi hoop only served to galvanise Depiro further, and a second Vella trey, and more free shots, made up a 7-0 run. Qormi replied at odd intervals, but Depiro were solidly in command. At the half time buzzer they were fully 38-12 in front.
After the break it looked like a repetition of the session before. An early Qormi hoop was followed by Emanuel Lupo points, including a trey. Qormi finally rallied, and an 11-0 run, with a Keith Scicluna trey, brought a 25-44 score. Depiro found their form again, stopping Qormi, although Antoine Grech sank a trey. The play balanced out, and Depiro could rest on a 51-31 lead.
The last quarter was an open one, given the score. Depiro began by increasing their lead, but points by Reuben Baldacchino, nad later on by Wayne Grixti, including a trey, made the score a more respectable one. With the accent on offense both teams could add on to their score, but Depiro had no worries, as they notched their second win over Qormi, in three matches.
DEPIRO: 22 R. Vella, 2 B. Zammit, 1 M. Sammut, 4 G. Muscat, 2 A. Aquilina, 2 A. Tabone, 2 M. Mallia, 4 C. Cassar, 24 E. Lupo, 4 A. Costa, I. Tanti, 5 D. Agius.
QORMI: 12 W. Grixti, 4 A. Grech, 11 K. Scicluna, J. Anastasi, 5 A. Camilleri, J. Sant, 7 R. Formosa, J. Dalli, 8 R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 2 S. Cauchi, 6 A. Baldacchino
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro.
Standings: 16 Depiro, 14 Qormi Kia, 13 Floriana
2 Div. Play Offs - Semi Final 2
Loyola Xuereb Installations 49 Mosta 52
(12-8)(13-10)(10-13)(14-21)
Mosta took their semi final into the third, and deciding match, after a highly entertaining game. Loyola led for most of the proceedings, but they couldn't control Sascha Saakian, who inspired his team to thier win. Mosta took time to settle down, but after the break they reduced their arrears, and then went in front in the last quarter, and held on to keep their hopes alive.
Shawn Pace has now taken the place of Patrick Lentini. in Loyola's squad. Mosta were without Matthew Bonnici, due to suspension.
Mosta started off with a couple of Saakian hoops, but then the initiative passed into Loyola's hands, and the latter posted a good 12-2 run, to go in front. They kept their lead till the end of the quarter, as Mosta could only reply htrough a lone hoop.
In the second quarter Loyola were still hammering their opponents. Treys by Stefan Vella and Joe Vella began an 8-0 run, which was topped by an Oliver Sammut trey. More free throws by Loyola continued to extend their lead. Mosta recovered, late in the quarter, and personal points by Saakian, including a trey, resulted in a 7-0 run. At the interval Loyola's lead had gone down to a 25-18 score.
After the break Mosta replied quickly to Loyola's opening hoop, and a 9-0 runending with a second Sammut trey, tied the score. Loyola went into the lead twice more, with Mosta pulling back. Near the end of the session two late hoops found Loyola once more ahead, on a 35-31 score, with a session to go.
Mosta went further behind, but another 7-0 run, with free shots, put them in front, after such a long time in arrears. Loyola tried hard to regain the advantage, but Saakian's good form prevented them from goming in front, till late in the match. Mosta promptly went ahead again, and they stayed there till the final buzzer, to force the third match.
LOYOLA: 11 Graham Coleiro, 9 Joe Vella
MOSTA: 33 Sascha Saakian, 11 Oliver Sammut
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Clive Terribile
2 Div. Play Offs - Semi Final 2
SN Suns Bell Med 48 Mellieha SVS 72
(6-18)(14-13)(15-17)(13-24)
Mellieha are the first team to go into the final play off, as expected. They disposed of Suns in their second game, and strode decisively into the last phase. They were well led by a resurgent Julian Naudi, who is relishing his play in a lower division. Suns' Anthony Shoults is picking up again his knack in 3-point shooting, but Mellieha were always in a class of their own.
Suns were once again with a depleted team, but still gave a good account of themselves, given the circumstances. Mellieha were 2-4 down at the start, but then a long 16-0 run, as Saviour Magro led his team at this stage, saw Suns losing ground from the very first session, as they could only stop the run with a Michael barberi hoop.
In the second quarter Suns started off with a 9-2 run, ending with a Shoults trey. Naudi sank a couple more at the other end, and it was Mellieha who posted a 9-2 run, stopped by a second Shoults trey. At the interval Mellieha were leading 31-20.
After the break Mellieha kept on, with an 8-0 run, and soon after Naudi made his third trey. Suns recovered, and a good 10-0 spell, with treys by Shoults and Bernard Cini, brought them a little closer. Mellieha closed down Suns' run, and after three sessions, they were 48-35 in front.
The last quarter was well-contested. Mellieha's lead remained practically the same for some time. Shoults put in his fourth trey, but from then on it was Mellieha in command, as they registered a strong 14-0 run, to storm clear of their opponents. A lone Barberi free shot closed down the game, and Mellieha now await their adversaries in the best of three final.
SUNS: 17 Hubert Agius, 16 Anthony Shoults
MELLIEHA: 23 Julian Naudi, 16 Saviour Magro, 12 Robert Loporto
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile
Peugeot Championship Pool Women
Hibs Medsea 41 Depiro 46
(6-5)(8-16)(16-11)(11-14)
Maybe Hibs had forgotten when they had last tasted defeat, but they were brought down to earth by a tactical depiro side, who stuck close to mark the champions' dangerous players, and were successful in their task. This win dents Loyola's aspirations, but raises Depiro's hopes for a final place. The Paolites, who already are assured of a final berth, will still have to do some rethinking, after this setback.
Nadia Mifsud was back from abroad for the champions, but she stayed on the bench and was not utilised in the match.
The game had a quiet start, with tight marking on Hibs' Doreen Parnis and Beverlee Zammit, now that Lucienne Bezzina will not play for Hibs, as she is in the family way. The Paolites opened up a 6-1 lead, with Zammit putting her points in, but it didn't stay long that way. Depiro rallied in the last stages, and a Sarah Pace trey helped in a tight, low score between these two rival teams.
In the second session it was Depiro who took the upper hand. With a hesitant Paola side in front of them, they ran up a good 11-3 break, only being foiled by a Beverlee zammit trey. On Depiro's side it was sarah Pace's second trey, as her side went 16-9 in front. The champions had abrief recovery, cutting down on their deficit, but Abigail Sciberras' entry on court produced points, and at the interval it was Depiro on a low, 21-14 lead.
After the break it was Rachel Camilleri who kept her adversaries at a distance, as she started with a trey, then put in more hoops. Hibs began to come back into the picture, as Alexis Darmanin found her scoring touch. Depiro's lead began to dwindle, and after three sessions there was only a basket difference, on a 32-30 Depiro advantage.
In the final quarter the game livened up more. Hibs jumped into the lead, but it was short lived, as Depiro replied with a third Pace trey, going 38-34 in front. The Paolites tied the score, but Depiro were playing confidently, and despite a Doreen Parnis trey for Hibs, Depiro made an 8-3 run, this time with a Greta Zarb trey, to ward off the champions' last, frantic efforts, and record their first victory over the Paolites this season. after six defeats.
HIBS: 15 Alexis darmanin
DEPIRO: 12 Sarah Pace, 11 Rachel Camilleri, 11 Greta Zarb
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef
Standings: 26 Hibs Medsea, 23 Depiro, 21 Loyola Xuereb Installations
Peugeot Classification Pool Women
Luxol 54 Kerygma 23
(18-4)(7-9)(15-3)(14-7)
Luxol have practically made sure of winning this category, gaining their third seasonal victory over Kerygma, in four matches. It was a surprisingly easy win, and more was expected from Kerygma. A good opening ensured Luxol's command, and the third session, after the interval, sealed Kerygma's fate, as they dropped sadly behind.
After a quiet start Luxol took the first lead, going 9-1 ahead, with a Psaila Savona trey. Kerygma's reply wasn't so proficient, and Luxol increased their lead, with a Mandy Sciortino trey, as they pulled clear of their opponenets, at an early stage.
In the second quarter the points were difficult to come by. Play was even, and midway through the session Josette Calleja finally sanl a trey. This was followed at the other end, as Kirsten Micallef did the same. Till the end of the quarter only a single free throw was registered, and at the interval Luxol held a 25-13 advantage.
After the break Kerygma were brushed aside, as Luxol proceeded to put in a long 13-0 run, till late in the quarter. Kerygma could only reply through Calleja's points, but they were facing a heavy deficit. After three sessions the Violets were on a large 40-16 advantage.
In the final session Luxol were still piercing Kerygma's defence continually. A 10-0 run, with a second Micallef trey, highlighted their dominance. Kerygma had a brief response, and a 7-0 run, with a second Calleja trey, stopped Luxol's point grabbing. The Violets ended the match with a couple more hoops, for a satisfying performance.
LUXOL: 10 Emma Moore, 10 Justine Mangion
KERYGMA: 14 Josette Calleja
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile
Sliema Wanderers 64 SN Suns JC 25
(17-6)(15-10)(16-5)(16-4)
Sliema kept up their good record against the Suns, getting their third victory in three games. They also left Suns stranded at the bottom of the standings. Suns had only six players on their team sheet, and they had to struggle for most of the match. As it is all the games are uphill for this Suns side.
Sliema couldn't have started better, and an opening 15-0 run, with Leanne sciberras and Lonike Calleja the protagonists, set the tone of the match. Suns recovered near the end of the session, and a couple of Diane Falzon hoops in the last seconds brought them some consolation.
In the second quarter Suns were more competitive, and they went to an 11-19 score. Sliema settled down again, and made an 11-1 run, to go clear once more. Suns managed to share the rest of the session, but their deficit had already grown, and at the interval Sliema enjoyed a 32-16 advantage.
The third session, after the break, was another harrowing time for Suns. They did manage a falzon trey, but the rest of the quarter was Sliema's, as they ran up another 11-0 break, and Ariana Grixti was active from close range. With a session to go it was 48-21 for Sliema.
The final quarter found Suns foul hit, and they soon lost their top scorer, Falzon. Sliema built up a 14-1 run, as Suns couldn't defend to their limit. The efforts on both sides started to die down, and so did the points, as the game petered away to a tame end, with Sliema winning their first match in this phase.
SLIEMA: 23 Leanne Sciberras, 11 Lonike Calleja
SUNS: 11 Diane Falzon
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Joe Borg
STANDINGS: 24 Luxol, 21 Kerygma, 17 Sliema Wanderers, 12 SN Suns JC


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