|
|
*** MALTESE MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
 | BUPA Luxol celebrates the title | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - May 14, 2008 | |  | BUPA Luxol - Compleet IS 67:61
BUPA Luxol rolled to a decisive victory in the third game of the Gatorade League Final series and claimed the title. Luxol jumped to an early 17:12 lead after the opening stanza. Compleet stayed close and closed the gap to 2 points midway through the second term. But Luxol chipped in 7 unanswered points to cap the second period leading by 8. Compleet IS never threatened the deficit in the third quarter and headed into the final frame trailing by the same 8 points. The tension grew in the final minutes with Luxol holding on to a minimum lead. Kirsten Baldacchino missed two free throws and Luxol capitalized hitting a bunch of their own free throw attempts to seal the winning outcome at the end. The victory marked the 11th championship for Luxol. Marko Matijevic (200-F-78) led the winners with 25 points. Michael Naudi (193-G/F-80) answered with 23 points for Compleet IS. |
|
|
|
| Compleet stays in the race for title in Gatorade League Final | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - May 6, 2008 | | | Compleet IS beat Luxol in the second game of the Final series to draw level and force the decider on Sunday. Luxoil opened the game confidently enough having a 1-0 advantage in store and hoping to wrap up the series. They grabbed a 24:15 lead after the first frame but Compleet stayed alert. A strong defensive performance from the hosts allowed holding Luxol to just 15 points in the second quarter and Compleet clinched a 36:30 lead at halftime. Robert Azzopardi nailed a three-pointer midway through the third stanza to put Luxol back at helm 47:45. But it was just a short momentum as Compleet gradually took over and spurred in front. Alan Borg (196-G/F-80) committed two turnovers in key moments that allowed the hosts to pile up a 7-point advantage after three quarters. Luxol had little chances in the fourth period. Compleet raised the tempo and soon notched a double-digit lead which proved insurmountable for Luxol. The teams will now head into the decisive third game with the defensing champs Compleet hoping to secure the title. Michael Naudi (193-G/F-80) topscored with 28 points for Compleet. Omar Said (177-G-80) nailed 14 points, while Adrian Micallef (204-C-79) contributed 13 in a winning case. Marko Matijevic (200-F-78) netted 18 points for Luxol. Alan Borg had 14 points in a losing effort. Luxol will now host the championship decider on Sunday. |
|
|
|
| Compleet IS to face BUPA Luxol in the Final | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Apr 29, 2008 | | | The Gatorade League comes to an end with the games of the qualifying round being completed over the weekend. The finalists were known before the games of the final round. This time BUPA Luxol and Compleet IS will fight for the Gatorade League crown in the Final series.
Compleet IS wrapped up the qualifying round in a somehow sloppy manner as they were beaten by Siggiewi Smina. The teams had little to achieve in this one but Siggiewi Smina still fought bravely to upset one of the leagues favorites. They accumulated a 47:33 lead at halftime and did not allow Compleet IS to deny it after the break. Addison Bonnici (-84) provided game-high 30 points to pace Siggiewi Smina to an 86:79 victory. David Camilleri knocked down 18 points for the winners. Omar Said (177-G-80) led Compleet IS with 27 points. Adrian Micallef (204-C-79) scored 16 points in defeat. The Final series is scheduled to start on Thursday.
In the meantime there was one game played in the relegation pool. Mellieha SVS edged Floriana 86:68 to stay atop of the pool. Steve Sammut completed a 26-point tally to pace the winners. Julian Naudi (177-G-77) contributed 25 points for Mellieha in a win. Sassoun Saakian poured in game-high 37 points for Floriana as they face relegation now. |
|
|
|
| Regular season is over in Malta | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Feb 26, 2008 | | | The Maltese National championship past its equator and the leader had been cleared. Luxol won all of their 10 games to consolidate their leading position. Lately Luxol overcame Depiro 87:52 away from home to register their 10th win in the season. The teams traded baskets early in the game before Luxol fired 15 consecutive points to clear off. The visitors controlled the tempo and drove to a 37:26 advantage at halftime. Luxol stretched the lead to as many as 21 points in the third period and coasted to the victory in the fourth stanza. Robert Azzopardi notched 22 points to lead all scorers. Dirk Schembri (193-F-85) added 14 points in a win. Roderick Vella netted 17 points for Depiro.
Compleet secured their 7th win at the tournament and remained at the second spot in the ladder. In Round 10 Compleet hosted Floriana and bruised them 84:63. Floriana looked competitive in the first half and trailed by just a single point at the break 31:32. But Compleet speeded up in the third frame and widened the margin to 12 points before the fourth term. Floriana never recovered late in the game and suffered the 10th straight defeat. Omar Said (177-G-80) provided 22 points for Compleet. Silvio Cassar (208-C-71) dropped 25 points in a win. Sassoun Saakian responded with 29 points for Floriana.
Siggiewi Smina ensured a narrow 73:71 win over Mellieha to stay third in the table. Siggiewi trailed by 17 points at halftime but revived after the main break and pulled out a spectacular win. Abraham Portelli (-79) stepped up with 22 points for Siggiewi. Christopher Sammut (169-G-85) poured in 29 points for Mellieha. |
|
|
|
| Luxol bring home the Shield | |
|
| | | MBA Shield Men 1 Div. - Final
Compleet IS SW 58 Bupa 65
(16-16)(12-16)(18-9)(12-24)
The season's first honour went Bupa's way, as they overcame an opening deficit, and surmounted a second one, at the start of the last quarter, to land their sixth Shield win, after a lapse of three years. They lasted the match better than their opponents, who were shocked in the last session, and conceded a large break, which they couldn't put right. It was a tense final at first, but an intriguing one, which satisfied the crowd present, with the fare presented.
It was Compleet with the better start, and a 7-2 run, with points by Michael Naudi and Silvio Cassar. treys at both ends, Naudi again and Robert Azzopardi for Bupa, then saw Compleet holding on to their lead, before Bupa began to find each other accurately. They tied the score twice, before the end of the period, with both teams very wary of each other.
In the second session there still wasn't anything to choose from both sides. It was Bupa who had to endure Compleet's advantage for some time, after an opening Omar Said trey. Steve Schembri was having a great time, at both ends, and Marco Matijevic was the getting the better of play in the zone, to put the Violets in front. Etienne Bezzina's hoops weren't enough for Compleet, and at the interval it was Bupa 32-28 ahead.
After the break Bupa went further in front, but a Baldacchino trey for Compleet was quickly followed by a second Azzopardi trey at the other end. Compleet started to get the better of things, and an 8-2 run, ending with a second Naudi trey, tied the score, at 39-39. Bupa went in front again, but Compleet were playing confidently, going ahead with a 7-0 run, to finish the session on a favourable 46-41 score.
In the final quarter Bupa came roaring back, and Matijevic points, including a fast break dunk, helped the Violets to regain the lead. Their run went up to a double-figure break, at 12-0, only being stopped by a Duncan Cuschieri trey, but Azzopardi did the same for Bupa, as they grimly held on, despite Compleet's frantic press. Compleet had to make their last effort, with time running out, but it was not to be, as Bupa played out the remaining time, to emerge victorious, and avenge their earlier Shield defeat by Compleet, at the start of the season.
After the match Bupa made merry after being awarded the MBA Shield, with captain, Robert Azzopardi being handed the Shield by MBA president, Mag. Antonio Mizzi
Compleet: 16 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 4 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, T. Riolo, 11 O. Said, 9 A. Micallef, 5 D. Cuschieri, 6 K. Baldacchino, 7 S. Cassar, R. Mifsud
Bupa: M. Mercieca, 15 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, 5 A. Borg, A. Bianchi, M. Bonnici, T. Paris, 6 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 25 M. Matijevic, 14 S. Schembri
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut |
|
|
| St James Loyola win their first ever honour | |
|
| | |
MBA Shield 2 Div. Men - Final
Qormi Kia 45 St. James Hospital 46
(15-15)(10-9)(6-12)(14-10)
This final, played in front of a good crowd, provided both sets of supporters with nerve-tingling moments, mistakes by the bucketful and a nail-biting ending, which finally went the Saints' way. It was a topsy-turvy encounter, with first one team in command, then the other takes over, but in the end it all boiled down to the last points, as caution was thrown to the winds, and the players were playing more with their hearts than their minds.
St. James had the better start, with a 9-3 run, which included three treys, a couple from St. James' Joe Vella and Vince Spiteri for Qormi. The latter then took over, with an 8-0 run, as Spiteri was still their main threat. St. James recovered in the latter stages of the quarter, with Steve Pace points, but Qormi tied the score just before the end.
In the second session it was Qormi with the first lead, at 20-15. St. James rallied back, and with a long 9-1 run, emerged in front, but they couldn't hold on to their advantage, and, till the end of the session it wa sQormi who worked hard to obtain hoops, by Adrian Baldacchino and an Anton Axiaq hoop, to give them the lead at the interval, on a slim 25-24 score.
After the break it was St. James with the more urgent play, as Qormi were somewhat erratic. St. James went in front once more, but Formosa pulled a hoop back for Qormi. When they were pushing for the overhaul it was Joe Vella who hit them badly, with two treys in a row, for a significant lead. Qormi lost Spiteri, out injured, but pulled back a couple of hoops, for a 31-36 deficit, after three sessions.
In the final quarter Baldacchino and Axiaq brought Qormi close, and Simon Cauchi's trey pushed them ahead, at 38-36. St. James recovered, and it was a 7-0 run, ending with a Nigel Sultana trey, for a Saints lead. Qormi came back to tie, at 44-44. Stefan Vella's free throws put the Saints in front once more. Qormi could only gain a solitary free shot, which wasn't enough, and St. James held out, to win the first seasonal honour in this category.
After the match the MBA vice president, Ottavio Terribile, presented Joe Vella with the trophy, as the Saints celebrated their first success in the 2nd Division.
Qormi: D. Bugeja, 2 A. Grech, G. Borg. 2 J. Anastasi, A. Camilleri, 12 V. Spiteri, 4 R. Formosa, 8 A. Axiaq, M. Muscat, C. Bugeja, 3 S. Cauchi, 14 A. Baldacchino
St. James: S. Pace, K. Tedesco, 12 J. Vella, K. Galea, G. CUschieri, 10 N. Sultana, 4 S. Vella, M. Farrugia, 7 S. Pace, 5 C. Grixti, 4 J. Ransley, 4 G. Coleiro
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Anthony Micallef
|
|
|
| Bupa win Super Cup | |
|
| | | Super Cup Men - Final
Compleet IS SW 70 Bupa 85
(8-15)(27-19)(11-27)(24-24)
Bupa collected their second seasonal honour, again defeating Compleet, for their sixth success in this competition, in eleven finals. They took an early lead, which they kept till the second quarter, when they went behind, minimally, on three occasions. in the last two sessions they regained their advantage, and kept in front till the end of the encounter, to make sure of the silverware, and make it two wins out of three against Compleet this season.
Compleet recovered Etienne Bezzina, back after the birth of his son, Jake.
Bupa began with a 5-0 burst, only for Compleet to pull two hoops back. Dirk Schembri was in good form under the boards, as Bupa went 9-4 in front. Michael Naudi and Silvio Cassar were Compleet's scorers, but Matijevic made free shots for Bupa, who ended the session with a Robert Azzopardi trey, extending their lead.
In the second quarter Compleet went to within a basket, at 13-15, but Bupa had a good reply, with treys by Steve Schembri and Matijevic, in an 8-2 run. Bupa kept their lead for some time, but Compleet compiled an 8-0 run, as Bezzina sank two hoops, to go in front. Bupa recovered, with a 7-2 run of their own, and an Alan Borg trey, to overturn the score. The session didn't end there, as Naudi's points, including a glorious last second trey, from the opposite side of the court, gave Compleet a 35-34 halftime lead, but also having lost Silvio Cassar on fouls.
After the break Bupa caught Compleet cold, with Azzopardi sinking two treys, in an 8-0 run. Compleet tried to recover, even though Naudi was given special attention by Bupa. The latter stitched together a 7-0 run, with some fine collective play. It was left to Naudi to obtain his side's points, but at the other end there was Dirk Schembri to keep Bupa's lead, with his team mates extending it to a 61-46 advantage, after three sessions.
The final quarter saw Compleet begin the long way back, with their free shots, only for Azzopardi to sink two more treys, and restore Bupa's handsome lead. at 70-52. As if that was not enough, Azzopardi made his sixth trey, and Michael Naudi was ejected for dissent. Bupa went further ahead, and although Compleet came back at the end, with treys by Bezzina and Baldacchino, in a 10-2 run, it was a lost cause, and in the final moments Azzopardi crowned a superb performance, with yet another trey, to set the seal on another honour winning match.
After the game MBA's vice president, Joe Depasquale Schranz, presented the Super Cup to Robert Azzopardi, as Bupa celebrated their second honour, after a lapse of just ten days.
Compleet: 31 M. Maudi, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 6 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, 1 T. Riolo, 13 O. Said, 6 A. Micallef, I. Buldakov, 6 K. Baldacchino, 7 S. Cassar, R. Mifsud
Bupa: 2 M. Mercieca, 25 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, 5 A. Borg, A. Bianchi, M. Bonnici, T. Paris, 21 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 18 M. Matijevic, 14 S. Schembri |
|
|
| Bupa consolidate their lead | |
|
| | | Bupa consolidate their lead
Gatorade League 1 Div. Men
Compleet IS SW 55 Bupa 65
(13-13)(14-12)(9-17)(19-23)
Bupa kept up their sequence of wins against Compleet, three victories, which included two honours. Compleet were in the game for a good part of it, but they fell behind in the latter stages, although managing a small rally. At the end Bupa held out , to inflict a comfortable win. They rule the roost in the league, with four wins, leaving a glut of teams two losses behind, after four matches.
Compleet had Michael Naudi on an automatic suspension, after alst Thursday's sending off, and Duncan Cuschieri was still unavailable, for the second match running.
Robert Azzopardi started Bupa off, with his trey, but Compleet tied the score, at 5-5. Dirk Schembri's points put the Violets in front again, but Compleet were workmanlike, as they made an 8-2 run, with an Omar Said trey. Their lead was shortlived, as Matijevic tied, at 13-13.
In the second quarter it was Compleet who were in command, as a Kristin Baldacchino trey started a long 9-1 run. Matijevic was on the bench for Bupa, with his thrid foul. Steve Schembri dragged Bupa back, making nearly all the points in a rallying 11-5 session ending run, with treys at both ends, the same Schembri and Compleet's Etienne Bezzina. Halftime score at 27-25 to Compleet.
After the break Bupa continued with their spurt. An 8-1 run, with a second Azzopardi trey, set them on their way. Then it was treys at both ends again, Adrian Micallef for Compleet and a third for Azzopardi. Compleet kept chasing their adversaries, but a three hoop burst for Bupa, as Steve Schembri was accurate, gave them a 42-36 advantage, after three sessions.
In the final quarter Bupa seemed to make the game secure, as a 9-2 opening run, with a fourth Azzopardi trey, gave them a comfortable lead. They held this lead for some time, but when the treys started flying in again, Said and Baldacchino for Compleet, and Azzopardi's fifth in between, Compleet came close once more, at 53-58.. When they tried to stop the game clock, Bupa made their free shots. to open up the necessary advantage, and keep their opponents at bay, in the closing stages.
Compleet: J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 4 E. Bezzina, 2 J. Galea, 4 T. Riolo, 17 O, Said, 10 A. Micallef, I. Buldakov, 8 K. Baldacchino, 10 S. Cassar, R. Mifsud
Bupa: 4 M. Mercieca, 19 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, A. Borg, A. Bianchi, M. Bonnici, T. Paris, 20 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 9 M. Matijevic, 13 S. Schembri
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef
Gatorade League 1 Div. Men
Siggiewi Smina 72 Floriana 39
(17-2)(19-13)(21-6)(15-18)
As expected, Siggiewi had the better of Floriana, to get back on winning ways, after defeats by Depiro and Bupa. Siggiewi did not have to over extend themselves too much, as they broke clear early on in the match, to avoid any undue surprises.
Siggiewi were playing without a number of players, Peter Shoults, Ian Mercieca and Igor Stefanovic. Floriana were without Adrian Sultana.
After an early Addison Bonnici hoop for Siggiewi, and a Joseph Tanti reply for Floriana, it was Siggiewi who took command, and denied the Greens from making any more points. It was Bonnici and david Camilleri at first, for Siggiewi, but other players put in their share till the end of the session, as Siggiewi broke clear.
The second quarter was more balanced, as Floriana made a good opening, with a 9-2 run, starting with a Karl Borg trey. Then it was Siggiewi with a similar 7-2 run, as Louis Camilleri and Abraham Portelli made the points. Floriana managed another trey, through Joe Tanti, but it was Siggiewi who ended the session on a top note, with a good 10-1 run, for a 36-15 halftime advantage.
After the break Siggiewi kept penning Floriana back once more, this time with a 12-0 run, as David Camilleri found his shooting touch again, including a second trey. Floriana managed a couple of hoops, but Siggiewi once more had the better ending to the quarter, with a 9-2 run, as Addison Bonnici grabbed the hoops, for a 57-21 Siggiewi lead.
The final quarter took some time to get going. Floriana did have Saakian sinking their points, but young Billy Zammit sank a trey for Siggiewi. The latter were putting more distance from their opponents, before Karl Borg started a Floriana revival, with his two treys, in an 11-2 run, as both sides opted for tatally open play.
Siggiewi: 7 B. Zammit, 15 L. Camilleri, 18 D. Camilleri, 8 J. Doughty, 7 A. Portelli, 2 JP Bonnici, 15 A. Bonnici, JP Antoncic, L. Camilleri
Floriana: 2 K. Mifsud, 6 N. Fenech, 11 J. Tanti, 1 B. Riolo, M. Pajic, G. Gilson, 6 S. Saakian, 13 K. Borg
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile
Gatorade League 1 Div. Men
Mellieha SVS Reflections 61 Depiro 58
(20-17)(17-17)(7-10)(17-14)
The League this season is developing in an intriguing one, with many teams bunched up, with a separation of one or two points. This encounter provided the sparse crowd present with a thrilling spectacle, and a nail-biting end, which finally went Mellieha's way, as they grimly held out in the final moments, to register their second league victory, and leapfrog over the same Depiro, due to this direct encounter.
Mellieha were without Ben Aquilina for this game.
There was a furious start to the match, with Julian Naudi making two treys, and more hoops for Mellieha, and Roderick Vella replying with a trey and a basket for Depiro. Then it was Chris Sammut for Mellieha, but Depiro made a 9-0 run, with a second Vella trey, to go in front. Mellieha came back again, through Naudi and Sammut, for a 20-17 first session lead.
In the second quarter Depiro were back, with a 7-0 run, and an Antoine Costa trey, besides more Vella points. Mellieha went better, with a 9-0 run, to jump into the lead again. They kept this advantage till the end of the session, despite treys by David Debono and Andrew Aquilina for Depiro, but the Mtarfa side could only advance to within a single point. At the interval Mellieha's lead was slightly better, on a 37-34 advantage.
After the break Mellieha managed to increase their lead, through the Sammut brothers, with Chris grabbing a second trey. Depiro settled down, and a third Vella trey and Costa's second, in a 10-2 run, tied the score, after three sessions, which was a low-scoring one, with both sides deadlocked on a 44-44 score.
In the final quarter more treys by Depiro, through Vella again, and Aquilina's second, gave them a slight 50-49 lead. Mellieha bounced back, and the Sammut brothers, two treys by Chris and more points by Steve, in a 9-0 run, put distance between the two teams. Depiro had to make their final effort, and Costa's third trey gave them hope. Mellieha were still hanging on, as Depiro, with Vella's fifth trey came to just a hoop behind, but the same Vella missed an easy lay-up, and Steve Sammut's solitary free throw sealed the game for Mellieha, for their second back to back win, which puts their morale sky high for the remaining games.
Mellieha: M. Pisani, 21 J. Naudi, 8 J. Jetson, S. Aquilina, E. Xuereb, J. Muscat, J. Aquilina, 10 S. Sammut, 20 C. Sammut, 2 T. Degiorgio, R. Loporto
Depiro: 25 R. Vella, 3 D. Debono, M. Sammut, G. Muscat, 6 A. Aquilina, 5 A. Tabone, 2 M. Mallia, C. Cassar, 6 E. Lupo, 11 A. Costa, I. Tanti, D. Agius
Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
