Siggiewi challenging for fifth position
Victoria Libertas 40 Siggiewi 78 (4-14, 13-16, 9-18, 14-30)
Siggiewi returned to winning ways, with a comfortable victory over Libertas, as they registered their third win over their opponents, this season. Both sides had changed personnel, with Libertas having Michel Farrugia and Davidf Agius back, but Malcolm Sammut, Emanuel Lupo and Bernard Soler were missing. Siggiewi also had their share of absentees, with JP Antoncic, Roberto Alosco, Reno Camilleri and Jake Carter.
Siggiewi began with a fourhoop spread, with Milan Nedic in the forefront. and they continued to increase their advantage, with Libertas only able to muster a couple of hoops. In the second period Alex Novakovic netted his first triple, for Siggiewi, who then had to reply to Libertas' hoops, and later on Farrugia sank a trey, to reduce the deficit. Siggiewi had Nedic with more points, in a 7-0 run, but Libertas managed a three-basket spread. At the interval Siggiewi were on a 30-17 advantage.
After the break Siggiewi were intent on increasing their lead, and made up a 7-2 run, Libertas replied, with some more points, but Siggiewi ended the period with a long 11-2 run, as Novakovic put in his second triple, for a 48-26 score. In the last quarter Agius made Libertas points, but Siggiewi took over once again, to post a heavy 20-2 run, with Novakovic and Jhunjhun Lizandaur treys, and Hubert Agius points. Late in the match Siggiewi managed a further 10-0 run, and Novakovic and Agius treys, before Libertas closed down the game with two last hoops. Libertas: W. Spiteri 2, M. Farrugia 3, K. Galea, N. Petrucci 11, S. Mizzi 10, P. Caruana 2, D. Miani 6, D. Agius 6 Siggiewi: M. Nedic 17, J. Lisondaur 5, H. Agius 17, A. Baldacchino 3, A. Novakovic 28, M. Baldacchino 6, O. Shamala 2 Referees: E. Mangani, V. Nikolic
Depiro 71 Balkan Fusion 94 (30-21, 14-24, 17-32, 10-19)
Balkan forgot the two defeats they suffered in a matter of days, and avenged one of them, beating Depiro, after their K.O. final loss, to hop ahead of Athleta, in the standings, but with a game more.
It was Depiro's third straight league defeat, which could push them further down the table, although they are certain of a Play Off place. Adam Chomo was back, for them, but Kurt Xuereb was still unavailable. Balkan were without Nikola Stankovic and Slavko Opojevlic.
There was a balanced start to the match, as Jack Nygaard sank a depiro trey, with Bogdan Ilic replying for Balkan. Depiro surged ahead, and two more Nygaard triples, in an 11-2 run, opened up a useful lead.
They held it till the end of the session, as Nygaard netted a further trey. In the next period Depiro opened a better advantage, but Balkan came rushing back, and a 13-2 runwith Alex Perunicic points, and a triple, took them close. A 9-0 run had them overturning the score.
Depiro struck back, with Nicholas Grech points, but Balkan were just in front, at the interval, on a 45-44 score. After the break Depiro breifly went ahead, but Balkan had Perunicic on song, as they put in a solid 16-2 run, nearly all from their player, also with a second trey.
Then it was Bogdan Mrkojevic with a trey, but Nygaard answered soon, with his triple, for Depiro.
Balkan made a 10-0 run, with a second Mrkojevic triple, with Nygaard making his free shots. Balkan were out in front, on a 7761 score.
Depiro: E. Briffa 2, A. Attard 4, N. Grech 15, J. Camilleri, A. C homo 10, M. Borg 13, M.Brincat , M. Mallia , J. Nygaard 27, M. Zloh
Balkan: N. Radicevic 2, M. Stjepanovic 2, B. Ilic 19, I. Kumric 17, A. Perunicic 32, Z. Stankovic, B. Mrkojevic 16, N. Bukva 8
Referees: G. Barbara, C. Xuereb