Athleta in comfortable victory

Gzira Athleta 84

Siggiewi 68

(22-10, 14-15, 22-23, 2620)

Athleta made it two wins in three league matches, as they met Siggiewi for the first time this season.

They had captain, Joshua Aquilina, back in the side, as did their Portuguese import, Joao Monteiro Neto.

Siggiewi, who were a depleted side in their last encounter, recovered most of their players, JP Antoncic, Joshua Anastasi, Gabriel Agius and Reno Camilleri, and also introduced young Miguel Baldacchino, who also made an appearance on court.

It was Athleta with the better start, and an 11-3 run, as Nathan Xuereb opened his triple account from early on.

Siggiewi managed a reply, but Athleta were still putting in their points, especially from Stefan Vincic, who also netted a trey.

In the second period Athleta faced tougher opposition. They had Xuereb sinking two more triples, but Siggiewi’s Serbian, Alex Novakovic was acquitting himself well, when Siggiewi made up a good 9-2 run, before Athleta added on to their advantage, late in the session, for a 36-25 interval score.

After the break the points were more in abundance, at either end.

Francesco Mifsud Bonnici points, and a Vincic trey took Athleta to a better lead, but Siggiewi reacted with an 8-4 run.

Luca Stefanovic went on court, and helped his side to a 10-2, as the Athleta player also netted a triple.

Siggiewi struck back well, with an 11-3 run, and a Roberto Alosco trey, as they battled back, to a 48-58 score.

Athleta opened the last session with a heavy 15-3 run, and another Xuereb trey, to make sure of the result.

Novakovic and Hubert Agius replied for Siggiewi.

Mifsud Bonnici nailed an Athleta triple, Siggiewi having JP Antoncic and Novakovic, twice, also sinking triples, but Athleta had an insurmountable advantage going on till the end of the match.

Athleta: J. Monteiro Neto 6, F. Mifsud Bonnici 16, B. Bartolo, R. Zammit, L. Stefanovic 9, M. Gauci Montaldo 6, N. Xuereb 26, J. Aquilina 2, K. Schembri, S. Vincic 15, J. Ransley 2, M. Cilia 2

Siggiewi: JP Antoncic 3, M. Baldacchino, J. Anastasi 8, H. Agius 7, G. Agius 4, R. Alosco 8, A. Novaskovic 26, C. Bezzina, R. Camilleri, O. Shamala 4

Referees: G. Barbara, M. Rajcz