A to Z Electronics Athleta 61

Bupa Luxol 65

(15-12, 13-21, 18-11, 15-21)

This will be a bitter pill to swallow for Athleta. Not that they haven’t been beaten this season – Siggiewi have done it twice – but this time they are out of an honour, having won all the previous four.

Without any frills, Luxol came back twice from good Athleta advantages, to administer the killing touch in the latter stages of the encounter, despite some frantic play from the champions at the end.This was Luxol’s first victory over their opponents, after three defeats, in the Gozo Cup and twice in the Louis Borg Cup. Jeron Belin will again lead his side in the final, against the surprising Floriana.

For Athleta, Kristin Baldacchino was abroad, but Steve Schembri went on court for the first time this season. Luxol’s Andrew Cremona was also absent.

Athleta made the better start, with an Andras Fekete triple starting a 9-2 run. Luxol reacted with a brace of hoops, but Athleta went one better, with a three basket spread. The Violets were not deterred, and also produced three baskets in a row as they crept near to their adversaries.

In the second period a 7-0 run, mostly from Jeron Belin, had Luxol ahead. Athleta twice drew level, before David Bugeja put them in front with a triple. Belin replied likewise for Luxol, and after Athleta had come to even terms twice more, a Lee Ross trey, along with Jean Paul Bonnici free throws, had the Violets in front, on a 38-33 score, at the interval.

After the break Athleta opened strongly, and a long 16-2 run, including a triple by Omar Said, and Fekete hoops, had them establishing a sound advantage. Luxol dragged themselves back, and a couple of baskets began their 9-2 run, with the champions only managing to add on two free shots. Luxol were just a basket behind, at 44-46. It was Belin again, as he had been doing for most of the encounter, to take the Violets on a lead, with his two triples, and other points. Athleta recovered, went ahead, but then fell back once more, to Luxol forays. Steve Schembri netted his triple, but they were still chasing determined adversaries. Free throws shot Luxol further ahead, to claim victory, and deny their neighbours yet another honour.

Athleta 19 M. Naudi, 7 D. Bugeja, 11 A. Fekete, 8 D. Schembri, M. Giusti, 7 O. Said, 4 A. Bonnici, 5 S. Schembri

Luxol CJ Cordina, 9 M. Mercieca, 32 J. Belin, A. Micallef Trigona, 11 L. Ross, A. Costa, 6 N. Vasovic, T. Paris, E. Caruana Montaldo, 6 JP Bonnici, S. Cappello

Referees G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, L. Camilleri