Starlites GIG 75 Gzira Athleta 85
(16-13, 26-17, 18-29, 15-26)
Athleta had quite a scare, as Starlites went in front, and stayed there until minutes into the last session. It was Starlites chasing the result in the late stages of the match, but Athleta played their cards right, and eased away in the final moments, to consolidate their top position in the standings. Starlites are now under the guidance of coach, Paul Ferrante, back again with the team. They had Miguel Falzon in the side, after his long suspension, and he took an active part in the encounter. Athleta are still without skipper, Michael Naudi, and Francesco Mifsud Bonnici.
Starlites had a bright start, going ahead on a 9-2 lead. Athleta's reaction brought a Nathan Xuaereb trey, in a 7-2 run, but Mitchell Brewe points, and a triple, kept Starlites in front, despite a late Omar Said trey, back to his old form. In the second period Athleta were still chasing, with Starlites managing a 7-0 run, and an Alec Felice Pace triple. A personal, Jon Feiler three hoop spread, had Athleta nearer, but it was Starlites extending their advantage once again, with more Brewe points, and a second trey. Feiler also netted a triple, for Athleta, who were trailing 30-42, at the interval.
After the break Athleta's first attempts to get nearer were rejected by Starlites, with an 8-0 run, by Brewe, and a Shawn pace trey, taking them to a maximum advantage, at 52-34. Said sank his second triple, for Athleta, but Brewe did likewise for Starlites, who held on to their solid lead, until Athleta's strong finish to the session had them sinking four treys in a row, two more from Said, and others by Ivan Mitrovic and Peter Shoults, taking them just behind their opponents, on a 59-60 score. Athleta went ahead for the first time, in the last period, went behind again, but a brace of treys, from Said, shot them in front. again, Starlites regained their lead, but Athleta were stronger by then, and embarked on a 9-2 run, mostly from Mitrovic free shots. Their new advantage was enhanced till the end of the match, as Starlites vainly tried to stop the shot clock, and Athleta ended on another 7-2 run, to beat Starlites for the second time this season.
Starlites: S. Pace 3, M. Azzopardi, R. Bonnici 9, A. Schembri, S. Borg, M. Falzon 4, A. Felice Pace 7, R. Carabott 8, O. Psaila, I. felice Pace, J. Wait, M. Brewe 44
Athleta: B. Zammit, S. Saakian, P. Shoults 4, L. Stefanovic, O. Said 26, N. Xuereb 6, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 18, J. Feiler 31
Referees: N. Azzopardi, S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic
Luxol surprised by Depiro
Bupa Luxol 77 Cynergi Depiro 81
(14-20, 22-16, 26-26, 15-19)
Luxol's aspirations, to obtain a top table placing, were thwarted by a resurgent Depiro outfit, who edged away from the bottom rung of the league ladder, with their second victory. The Violets couldn't shake clear of their opponents, and spent time chasing their adversaries. When they were in front, Depiro always stayed close, and manage to overturn the score on numerous occasions. The last session proved fruitful for Depiro, who opened enough of an advantage, to keep Luxol at bay till the end. Luxol had Keith Dimech on the bench, but took no part in the match. Depiro had Nicholas Grech and Andy Attard missing.
It was Depiro with a small early lead. and Dominic Scafidi, a thorn in the Luxol zone, extended that, as his side made up an 8-0 run. Luxol made a similar run, to go a hoop behind, but till the end of the period Depiro were again on a better advantage. In the second session Depiro held their lead, and David Camilleri also sank a triple for them. William Ahlberg stuck a triple for Luxol, and later on it was JP Schembri netting two triples in succession. Luxol went ahead, for the first time, but Depiro were level on points at the interval, on a 36-36 score.
After the break Luxol had Ahlberg taking them ahead once more, as he sank two more triples. Kurt Xuereb reacted for Depiro, with his trey, and he also put them in front. Then it was Nikola Vasovic sinking two triples for Luxol, with more Scafidi hoops in between. An Andrew Aquilina triple brought the score level for Depiro, and more points, at either end, had the score at 62-62. The last quarter provided the breakthrough for Depiro. They had David Bugeja on song, and his points, along with a second Aquilina trey, gave them breathing space. Every time the champions tried to get near, there was Bugeja getting the vital hoops. Luxol got within the distance, but there were only seconds left, and when the Violets missed their final attempt, they conceded the game to their opponents.
Luxol: CJ Cordina 2, M. Sjoberg, N. Vasovic 18, J. Melillo, JP Schembri 6, W. Ahlberg 23, K. Meyer 21, A. Micallef Trigona
Depiro: E. Briffa, D. Bugeja 22, D. Camilleri 3, L. Duckinson, A. Aquilina 6, M. Mallia 6,K. Xuereb 9, M. Borg , D. Scafidi 35
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, I. Simic