Bupa Luxol     66     Hibernians     79

(17-16, 20-18, 14-19, 15-26)

The Paolites had a comfortable first victory, and this second one, although not so pronounced, also resulted in a reassuring mode. Luxol again had Keith Dimech just a spectator, and also missed Dirk Schembri, as they gave a good account of themselves for three whole sessions of play, but succumbed in the final one, as the Paolites steered clear of their adversaries, to advance into the final, and await their opponents, from the next match. This defeat left the Violets unable to continue to defend the honour won last season, whilst Hibs will look to continue to add on to their three successes, in the late eighties.

Luxol had a good start, making up a 9-3 run, as JP Schembri and Nicola Vasovic sank triples, as did Alvaro Lizaur, for Hibs. Lizaur added another one, to take his side to within a point with Luxol holding on for some time, until an 8-2 Hibs run overturned the score. A late Vasovic trey regained the Violets' advantage. In the second period it was still close, as Luxol lost their lead to a Roderick vella triple and tied the score with a CJ Cordina triple. Vella again netted a trey, to put Hiba again in front, but the champions came up with a good 11-1 run, with another Schembri triple. Anton Axiaq netted a brace of Hibs hoops, but his side were still behind, at 34-37, at the interval.

After the break Vella, for the Paolites, and William Ahlberg, for the Violets, sank treys with the two sides exchanging leads. Lizaur sank another triple, Luxol regained their advantage, but Hibs made a late 7-0 run, as Simon Attard nailed a trey. Andrew Micallef Trigona, playing his best game this season, took Luxol to a 51-53 deficit. In the last quarter Hibs finally began to pull away. A 7-2 run started this, with Micallef Trigona 's points keeping the Violets in contention. The Paolites then made the decisive breakthrough, with a 12-2 run, leaving Luxol with little time to reply. Schembri sank a third trey for them, but Patus closed down the scoring with his triple, as Luxol had stopped to accept their defeat.

The Paolites now look towards next Sunday, for their opening best-of-five finals, but will have to see the outcome of the other semi-final.

Luxol: CJ Cordina 7, N. Vasovic 14, J. Melillo, JP Schembri 3, W. Ahlberg 9, K. Meyer 15, A. Micallef Trigona 12

Hibs: R. Vella 17, P. Attard, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 4, S. Attard 3, I. Bonett, L. Tardito 12, A. Axiaq 7, M. Matijevic 6, A. Lizaur 22, F. Mariani, C. Patus 8

Referiee: E. Mangani, T. Mantere, Z. Dobrosavljevic

 

Cynergi Depiro     82     Gzira Athleta     89

(18-26, 14-18, 24-21, 26-24)

Depiro had already subjected their opponents to a hard time, in the first match. This second one was closer still, with Depiro nearly pulling alongside Athleta, in the closing stages of the encounter. Free throws took Athleta away, to a safe place, and eventual entry into the final. Athleta seemed to wrap it up, late in the third session, but David Bugeja said nix, and dragged his side back, even though Depiro lost Dominic Scafidi, to fouls. When Andrew Aquilina and the same Bugeja were also lost, the die was cast, and Athleta could breathe easier.

Athleta made the better start, even though Depiro began with a Kurt Xuereb trey, but a 12-2 run, with a Peter Shoults triple, had Athleta on a good footing. Later on, there were Omar Said, twice, and Shoults treys, as Athleta sped away. Depiro managed to gnaw away the deficit, with late points, and a Bugeja triple.  In the second period Athleta were intent on adding on to their advantage, as Ivan Mitrovic netted a trey. Scafidi replied with a couple of triples, for Depiro, but Athleta still held sway, and at the interval they were leading on a 44-32 score.

After the break two more Xuereb triples were reactions to more Athleta hoops, with Scafidi taking Depiro nearer. Jon feiler points had Athleta stretching their advantage, even though Aquilina netted a Depiro trey, but his side had fallen behind badly. In the remaining time Bugeja came to the fore, and Depiro were back in contention, with a 56-65 score. Two more Bugeja hoops, in the last session, had Depiro close. Scafidi went out, on fouls, and Athleta opened another lead. Depiro stuck to their task and began dragging themselves back. Xuereb and David Camilleri sank treys, and mere points separated the two teams. Athleta converted their free shots, when Depiro made to stop the clock, and another Xuereb triple was not enough, as Athleta opened a winning margin. Matthew Borg came off the Depiro bench, in the closing seconds, to nail a triple, and close down the scoring.

Athltea took their place in the final, to vie for the league honour, they last won four seasons ago.

Depiro: E. Briffa, D. Bugeja 25, D. Camilleri 3, J. Attard, A. Aquilina 7, N. Grech, A. Attard, M. Mallia 5, K. Xuereb 18, M. Borg 3, D. Scafidi 21  

Athleta: M. Naudi 27, B. Zammit, P. Shoults 15, L. Stefanovic, F. Mifsud Bonnici, O. Said 15, M. Gouder, N. Xuereb 2, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 10, J. Feiler 20  

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, N. Azzopardi