Starlites GIG 99 MSC Balkan Fusion 60
(22-13, 24-6, 29-24, 24-17)
Starlites wanted another win, to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place, although they had to wait for the result of the last group match. They not only obtained their victory, but they could also give their bench players playing time, with the whole side getting their names in the score sheet. Balkan were suffering their third straight loss, finding it difficult against established opponents. The word is that, in the coming games, Balkan will be strengthened with top division players, which will make them more competitive, when the league competition starts.
After Balkans' opening point, it was Starlites forging ahead, with an 11-0 run, and Alec Felice Pace, captain for the day, sank a trey. Balkan came back with a trio of hoops, with American, Jordan Stotts, grabbing his first points for Starlites, also a triple. Balakn had Nikola Bozovic and Stefan Todorovic making triples, to reduce the arrears. In the next period Balkan went nearer, but then they were hit by a Starlites' blast, and a heavy 22-2 run, which left them stranded behind. Hoops at either end brought the score to 46-19, at the interval.
After the break both sides managed to upgrade their score considerably. First it was Starlites to stretch their advantage further, but Balkan made a good 10-0 run, midway through the session. Starlites were back, with a solid 15-0 run and Felice Pace and Stotts triples. Balkan had Bozovic and Anthony Schembri to hike up their points total, with American, cameron Ward, improving on his personal score, for a 75-43 score line. In teh last quarter Starlites were still pressing, with a Nikola Andrejevic trey, for Balkan, in return. Ian Felice Pace also netted a triple, for Starlites, who went for the century, as Mirco Azzopardi also sank his trey. Starlites just failed in their objective, as time ran out on them, but they were satisfied with their semi-final vision still alive.
Starlites: O. Psaila 2, M. Azzopardi 5, R. Bonnici 9, I. Felice Pace 9, C. Ward 17, M. Falzon 8, A. Felice Pace 10, R. Carabott 10, M. Scerri 2, N. Formosa 10, J. Stotts 17
Balkan: N. Andrejevic 15, N. Bozovic 11, P. Walk 13, A. Schembri 8, S. Todorovic 3, N. Bukva 6, N. Mitic 4, B. Mrkojevic
Referees: T. Mantere, N. Azzopardi, S. Micallef
Depiro 74 Hibernians 98
(23-20, 24-30, 13-28, 14-20)
The Paolites needed a win, to stay on top of the group. Depiro badly wanted a victory, to pip Starlites for the semi-final spot. Depiro were thereabouts till the interval, but afterwards the champions broke forward, to impose their dominance, and make the result a foregone conclusion. Hibs could also have pushed more, for a century win, but they held off at the end, content with their group B position.
Although the champions began with a couple of triples, by Chad Cuschieri patus and Luke Farrugia, it was Depiro opening up a good advantage, with American, Trent Steen, and Slovakian, Adam Chomo hoops, and an Andrew Aquilina trey. Depiro held their lead for a time, but it was Hibs with the better ending of the period, and an 8-0 run, and another Farrugia triple. Roderick Vella's trey had Hibs drawing level, in the next session. Steen gave Depiro another lead, but the Paolites were again in front, with an 8-2 run. Depiro were again on level terms, with Marco Matijevic points pushing Hibs in front once more. Omar said replied with a triple, but Depiro could not regain their advantage. Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur, sank a Hibs trey, and although Nicholas Grech and Said put in further treys, Depiro were just behind, at 47-50, at the interval.
After the break the champions were more dangerous, as their triples began to slip in. Farrugia, Cuschieri patus and Lizaur sank theirs, and Hibs had a handsome lead. Depiro answered with Chomo hoops and another Aquilina trey, but the champions opened their lead further, in a late burst, as Lizaur struck twice more, with his triples, along with another, by Cuschieri Patus, for a good 78-60 advantage. In the last period Hibs began to wind down, but Matijevic and Cuschieri patus still provided their side with points. At the other end it was Steen hiking up his personal tally, for Depiro. Isaac Bonett came up with more points, and a triple, for the Paolites, who called it a day in the last stages of the match, staying just out of the century reach.
Depiro: J. Attard, M. Brincat, D. Farrugia 8, A. Attard, A. Aquilina 12, N. Grech 6, O. Said 11, A. Chomo 14, E. Briffa, M. Borg 2, T. Steen 21
Hibs: R. Vella 6, P. Attard , K. Sultana , L. Farrugia 14, M. Formosa , I. Bonett 7, A. Axiaq 4, M. Matijevic 23, A. Lizaur 14, C. Cuschieri Patus 30
Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, I. Simic