Luxol     84     Gzira Athleta     77

(19-22, 29-13,19-28,17-14)

Luxol ran their opponents close, in the first semi-final, and this time they went better, obtaining a victory, which takes the series to the third, and deciding rubber. There was no question about Luxol's claim to this win, as they were the more enterprising side, and fully avenged the three defeats they suffered in their last matches against Athleta. The only notable difference, from the previous encounter, was the inclusion of CJ Cordina, in the Luxol ranks, giving them a welcome boost, given that they were yet again without Keith Dimech, still injured. The main difference, for Athleta, is that their Spanish player, Albert Serra, who took this division by storm, since he began playing for his side, has gone down a notch in his play, and Athleta's strike force hasn't been the same lately.

Luxol began well enough, as they grabbed the opening points, also with a Vukassin jandric triple, as he played a blinder, even though he was in foul trouble later on. Both sides then made a couple of hoops, before Athleta went in front, after a Stefan Vincic trey, and Luca Stefanovic hoops. Luxol retaliated with a brace of Jandric hoops, but Athleta had Serra with a triple. Jandric also sank a second trey, but his side were still behind. In the second period Luxo's triples were more in evidence, as Jandric netted four more, as they regained their advantage. Nathan Xuereb also sank an Athleta trey, but Luxol ended the session with an 8-0 run, to open up a steady 48-35 lead, at the interval.

After the break Athleta began their way back, with an early 7-2 run, mainly from Xuereb. Michael Sjoberg netted a Luxol triple, but Athleta were still persistent, with another 7-2 run, all from Vincic, also with a trey. Jandrin sank another triple, but Athleta made up another

9-0 run and were just behind their opponents. The Violets recovered, with an 8-1 run, with Athleta making the last two hoops of the period, to go 63-67 behind. The last quarter had both sides in close proximity. Clayton Calleja and Jandric put in Luxol triples, and Vincic made his third trey. IN a matter of seconds, both Serra and Jandric were fouled out. Francesco Mifsud Bonnici took Athleta to a point behind, but it was Luxol with the better finish to the match, with a 7-1 run, to tie the series, and force the third game, for next Tuesday.

Luxol: M. Blazquez 2, L. Caruana Montaldo 3, V. Jandric 41, I. El Gabailly, B. Caruana Montaldo, CJ cordina 8, C. Calleja 7, M. Sjoberg 11, J. Navarro, A. Micallef, M. Steenkamen

Athleta: F. Mifsud Bonnici 12, C. Puccia, A. Serra 12, L. Stefanovic 7, M. Gauci Montaldo , N. Xuereb 18, J. Aquilina, J. Caruana , S. Vincic 22, J. Ransley 6, M. Cilia  

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Xuereb

 

Depiro     64     Balkan Fusion     75

(17-18, 13-20, 14-16, 20-21)

Depiro had a good victory over Balkan, in the first semi-final, but they didn't follow up, and it was Balkan with the better ideas this time. Their win brought both sides level, and there is a need for the third match to be played. The main difference, from the other encounter was, that Balkan were more direct and accurate, whilst Depiro were more erratic in their shooting.

Balkan started with an 8-0 run, from Alex Perunicic and Ivan Kumric. Depiro's reply had the usual Jack Nygaard netting a brace of triples, but Balkan recovered to open their lead once more. Nygaard made a third trey, and more points from him had Depiro just behind their adversaries. In the second period more Depiro triples, from Nicholas Grech, Nygaard and Kurt Xuereb, took their side ahead, but Balkan responded with an 11-2 run, and a Bogdan Mrkojevic triple, along with Bogdan Ilic hoops. Balkan were in front once again, and they stayed there till the interval, when they were 38-30 in front.

After the break Balkan enhanced their advantage, with a 7-0 run, and a Perunicic trey. Depiro reacted with a good 11-2 run, and another Nygaard trey, to cut down on their deficit. Free throws opened up Balkan's advantage, and they were able to start the last session with a 54-44 lead. Matthew Borg sank a Depiro triple, and Depiro were getting nearer. Then it was Adam Chomo with another trey, for Depiro, Balkan held on to their advantage, but lost Nenad Bukva, on two technical fouls. Depiro couldn't make up the leeway they were facing, and Balkan made their free throws, when Depiro tried to stop the clock. Depiro fell further behind, and had to concede defeat, which had both teams level, with a win each. Their third meeting is for next Tuesday, when the two finalists will be known.

Depiro: E. Briffa, A. Attard, N. Grech 4, A. Chomo 13, K. Xuereb 8, M. Borg 7, M. Zloh 2, J. Nygaard 30, M. Debattista, J. Vibe

Balkan: N. Radicevic 3, B. Ilic 18, I. Kumric 8, S. Opojevlic 2, A. Perunicic 12, Z. Stankovic 4, B. Mrkojevic 24, N. Bukva 4   

Referees:G. Barbara, T. Mantere, N. Azzopardi