Gzira Athleta 73 Cynergi Depiro 66
(20-19, 9-15, 24-15, 20-17)
Athleta had already beaten Depiro on four other occasions, and they came up with their fifth victory, but Depiro ran them close, and the league leaders never really had a clear-cut advantage, as the match progressed. Depiro could have made ground with Luxol, if they won, but they are now still two defeats behind. Michael Naudi returned for Athleta, but Billy Zammit was injured. Athleta also had another foreigner, the Estonian, Kevin Liivamagi, and he will be available next week, along with the returning Matthew Gouder. Depiro missed David Bugeja, who seems to have lost the remainder of the season, after his injury, in their last match.
After Athleta's opening lead, Depiro's Dominic Scafidi made up a three-hoop spread. Kurt Xuereb then netted a triple, as Depiro extended their advantage. Athleta reacted well, with free shots, to jump in front. Depiro twice levelled the score, then am Andrew Aquilina trey had them ahead, only for Jon Feiler to restore Athleta's lead. In the next period it was Depiro first out of the traps, with a 9-2 run. Feiler netted two more Athleta hoops, but Depiro answered back, with two of their own. Despite Naudi points, Depiro were ahead at the interval, on a 34-29 score.
After the break Scafidi's points, and a triple, extended Depiro's lead, but Athleta put in a good 12-2 run, to tie the score twice. Depiro had David Camilleri and Scafidi netting treys, but, in between Athltea's Ivan Mitrovic did the same. He sank a further triple, and more free throws had Athleta 53-49 in front. In the last quarter Scafiudi kept Depiro close, but Peter Shoults and Mitrovic nailed two more Athleta treys, for their biggest advantage. There was still Scafidi putting in points, for Depiro as they went close once again. Mitrovic made the issue safe for Athleta, with the game's last two free shots.
Athleta: M. Naudi 16, B. Zammit, F. Mifsud Bonnici, S. Saakian, P. Shoults 3, L. Stefanovic, O. Said 8, N. Xuereb 5, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 22, J. Feiler 19
Depiro: D. Camilleri 3,L. Duckinson, A. Aquilina 6, N. Grech 4, A. Attard, M. Mallia 4, K. Xuereb 14, M. Borg , D. Scafidi 35
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, I. Simic
Hibs had to sweat out their victory
Starlites GIG 63 Hibernians 66
(9-21, 14-12, 13-13, 27-20)
Hibs kept on Athleta's tails, in the last match of the second round, but Starlites gave them quite a fright, in the closing stages of the encounter. The Paolites had a good enough lead, starting the last period, but Starlites whittled down their deficit, to go really close, and even had a final chance, to tie the score, but it was missed. Starlites are still propping up the league ladder, but the Paolites are just a defeat behind Athleta, in top position.
Hibs were well worth their strong advantage, in the opening session. They eased away from their opponents, with Alvaro Lizaur and Chad Patus points. Ryan Carabott's trey dragged Starlites a little closer, but the Paolites ended the session on a 10-2 run, as Luke Farrugia netted a late triple, for a better advantage. In the second period Hibs held on to their lead, with Farrugia netting another trey. Mitchell Brewe came up for Starlites, to keep his side from falling further behind, and at the interval Hibs were enjoying a 33-23 advantage.
After the break there was a stalemate, with both sides sharing the points. Hibs had the better start, as Lizaur sank a brace of triples, with another from Roderick Vella, as they established a maximum advantage, at 44-28. Starlites ended the session on a good footing, with an 8-2 run, to restore their previous deficit, on a 46-36 score against them. In the last session Hibs increased their lead slightly, but Starlites' triples began to go in. Shawn pace netted three, with another by Brewe, and the Paolites were only a hoop ahead. They reacted, to open up their lead, but a couple of hoops had Starlites two points shy again. Patus' free shot had Hibs on a three-point margin, with Carabott's last attempt missing the target, for Starlites, and Hibs breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Starlites: S. Pace 11, M. Azzopardi, R. Bonnici 6, A. Schembri 2, M. Scerri, M. Falzon, A. Felice Pace 8, R. Carabott 5, O I. Felice Pace 2, J. Wait, M. Brewe 29
Hibs: R. Vella 11, P. Attard, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 8, S. Attard 1, I. Bonett, L. Tardito 2, A. Axiaq 2, M. Matijevic 7, A. Lizaur18, F. Mariani, C. Patus 17
Referees: E. Mangani, Z. Dobrosavljevic, K. Dworniczak