Starlites GIG 81 Gzira Athleta 68
(24-17, 12-13, 32-13,13-25)
Starlites continued, from their victory over Depiro, with a better performance against Athleta, to claim a place in the second demi final. Athleta are finding the going tough, as they suffered their second heavy defeat. They are finding it difficult to last the whole match, and fell away after the break. Michael Naudi returned for Athleta, after missing their opening match, and produced a creditable performance. Kristin Baldacchino was also roped in, but he is still a little rusty, after a couple of seasons away from the game.
Naudi led Athleta to an opening advantage, also with a triple, with Stephan Shepherd also nailing a trey. Shawn pace netted a Starlites triple, and then his side turned the score around, as they finished the period with a solid 15-2 run, and more treys, by Pace, Mirchell Brewe and Robert Bonnici. In the second session the play was more balanced. Starlites extended their lead, at first, but David Camilleri sank an Athleta triple, and they followed up with a session ending 6-2 run, to cut down on their deficit. At the interval Starlites were sitting on a 36-30 advantage.
After the break Naudi clipped off another hoop, but then Athleta froze up. Starlites smelt blood, and swarmed all over their opponents, with a staggering 26-0 run. Bonnici and Pace both netted another trey, along with more points, as did Mitchell Brew. Athleta finally came to grips with their adversaries, making up a creditable 11-0 run, with a Francesco Mifsud Bonnici trey.
Starlites netted the last points of the period, for a heavy 68-43 advantage. In the last quarter Starlites were still keeping a close watch over their opponents, holding on to their impressive lead. In the latter part of the match, the Starlites' bench players came on court, and Athleta could trim away a good part of their deficit, with a 10-2 run, and another Shepherd triple, and a game ending 7-0 run, as Shepherd was still potting away. This made no difference, as Starlites had long acquired their semifinal place
Starlites: S. Pace 13, M. Azzopardi, R. Bonnici 20, A. Schembri, S. Borg 2, M. Falzon, A. Felice Pace 10, R. Carabott 8, O. Psaila, N. Andrejevic, J. Wait, M. Brewe 28
Athleta: M. Naudi 30, F. Mifsud Bonnici 3, D. Camilleri 3, K. Baldacchino, P. Shoults 12, N. Xuereb, O. Said 2, L. Stefanovic, S. Shepherd 18, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic, S. Saakian
Referees: G. Barbara, Z. Dobrosavljevic, J. Cole
Hibs in final, after comprehensive victory
Bupa Luxol 62 Hibernains 81
(15-29, 16-19, 8-22, 23-11)
Luxol had beaten the Paolites in the Super Cup, weeks ago, but this was a different kettle of fish. Hibs are now a formidable side, and they showed it. Their foreigners and local foreigners have a good understanding of each other, and Anton Axiaq takes care of the opposing foreigner. Besides that, there is the constant flow of play from Roderick Vella, for the complete picture. Luxol had their problems. CJ Cordina is becoming work tied, Dirk Schembri is not always available and Marco Mercieca seems to have called it a day. They have taken on Nigel Sultana, but their bench is still short.
It was the Violets opening up well, in a 10-3 start, as William Ahlberg and Nikola Vasovic sank triples, with Alvaro Lizaur doing likewise, at the other end. Hibs then took the game in hand, coming up with a 13-0 punch, as Luke Farrugia and Lizaur put in more treys. Luxol tried to retaliate, mainly through Vasovic points, but Hibs were adamant, ending the period with an 11-2 run, as Chad Patus and Marco Matijevic came into the picture. In the second session the champions reduced their deficit, starting off with an 8-2 run, with a brace of Ahlberg triples. The Paolites settled down, to produce another 14-4 run as Lizaur continued with his treys. Luxol's last attempts, before the interval, found Vella nailing a triple, for a solid 48-31 advantage, for Hibs.
After the break Hibs kept on pressing, and put in an early 11-2 run, with a fourth Lizaur trey. Vasovic also netted his second triple, for the champions, but the Paolites were in control, as they pushed further ahead till the end of the period, for a heavy 70-39 score. In the last quarter Luxol wanted a better score, despite their impending defeat. A 7-0 run, followed by a spate of free shots, as Keith Dimech scored his only points of the match, with a trey, improved their score. Hibs were not worried, given their healthy advantage, as Anton Axiaq found time, from his defensive duties, to grab a couple of hoops. JP Schembri netted another Luxol triple, but Hibs had long garnered their place in the final.
Luxol: M. Sjoberg, N. Vasovic 14, JP Schembri 4, K. Dimech 9, W. Ahlberg 13, N. Sultana 2, K. Meyer 16, S. Cappello 4
Hibs: R. Vella 13, P. Attard, L. Farrugia 3, S. Attard 2, I. Bonett, K. Caruana 2, A. Axiaq 7, M. Matijevic 12, C. Patus 16, F. Mariani 2, A. Lizaur 24
Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, T. Mantere