Depiro 00 Floriana MCP Car Parks 00
After Overtime
(21-27, 25-20, 21-19, 25-16) - (8-10)
It was an afternoon of high scores, with the first game having to go into overtime, before Floriana had the better of Depiro, after having survived, through a David Bugeja hoop, just seconds from normal time. Really, Floriana enjoyed goos leads throughout the game, but Depiro came back strongly, and nearly won the match, as both sides lost key players on five fouls. For the match Floriana were further strengthened with two additions, the new foreigner, Englishman, Dean Wanliss, and the returning David Camilleri, with the latter staying on the bench.
There was a fast start to the match, as the Greens went into a seven-point lead, with American, Ian Thiesen, sinking a trey. Depiro replied with a brace of hoops, but Floriana came back with another 9-0 run, as Thiesen netted a second triple. Depior were coming back again, as Americans, Jack Nygaard and Trent Steen put in their hoops. Floriana held on to their advantage, despite a late Depiro flurry. The game continued to be close fought in the next period. Floriana drew closer, as Keshaun Hamilton netted a trey. The Greens stayed ahead, S Wanliss put in his hoops. Then it was Steen and Czech, Adam Chomo, taking Depiro close once more, but Wanliss was adamant, and Thiesen struck with a brace of triples, for a better Floriana advantage. The late stages of the session had Nygaard troubling the Floriana rear-guard, as he made up his points. with free shots and a triple, to tie the score. David Bugeja gave Floriana another lead, and at the interval it was a 47-46 score, to the Greens.
After the break Floriana came out strong, penning their opponents back, and making up a solid 11-0 run, Lithuanian, Kevin Liivamagi and Shawn Pace sank triples. Depiro tried to stop them, but the Greens went on, and another 8-2 run, with a Wanliss trey, had Floriana on a heavy advantage. Depiro finally recovered, as a 12-2 run, with Andrew Aquilina and Nygaard triples, had them back. Floriana held out till the end of the quarter, on a 76-67 lead. The last quarter had Depiro roaring back, as a 12-3 run had them on a tied score, with Nygaard and Belgian, Hulsen, for the Greens, making their triples. Floriana went into another lead, but lost Thiesen on five fouls. Depiro took advantage, and an 8-0 run took them ahead. Floriana fought back, and Depiro lost Hamilton on five fouls. Bugeja managed a very late hoop, to tie the score, and the game went into overtime, at 92-92.
It was Floriana who went ahead, and managed a 9-2 run, as Bugeja sank a trey. Depiro tried a last flurry, and went close, as Floriana lost Hulsen on fouls. Floriana still held out, and emerged victorious on a hoop advantage, holding out till the end.
Depiro: T. Steen 38, K. Hamilton 15, J. Attard, D. Farrugia, A. Aquilina 7, N. Grech, O. Said 2, M. Mallia, J. Nygaard 30, A. Chomo 8, A, Attard
Floriana: S, Pace 5, D. Bugeja 14, Camilleri, D. Wanliss 26, S. Borg, K. Caruana, K. Liivamagi 3, I. Arias, I. Thiesen 35, K. Xuereb 2, G. Hulsen 17, D. Agius
Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, I. Simic, M. Hraisha
Balkan Fusion 83 Starlites GIG 129
(19-36, 15-28, 26-27, 23-38)
For the first, in a top league programme, there were over four hundred points potted in two matches, as this second match surpassed the one before, even without the use of overtime. It was an open match throughout, with the Balkans adventurous in their play, and hiking up a good score. Starlites didn't mind, as they were piling up the points, and surpassed the century mark, early on in the last session. There were good personal scores at both ends, for an enjoyable encounter. Starlites had American, Andrew Sears, missing, also missing out on a point bonanza.
Starlites were in front from early on, but the Balkans kept pace for some time, although in arrears. American, William Darley, potted three treys, with the other American, Cameron Ward, netting once, and Hungarian, Patrick walk, was starting to amass his high score, and Nemanya Radicevic also sank a triple. In the second period the Balkans started better, with Walk in fine form. The triples kept coming in Starlites' favour. This time it was Ward, twice, and a late Robert Bonnici, for them, as they ended the session on a good 13-2 run, for a heavy 64-34 halftime score.
After the break the match became more balanced. The Balkans managed to cut down on their deficit, with Stefan Todorovic and Thomas Grech netting triples. Then it was the turn of Starlites, coming up with another 15-2 run, and Nick Formosa and ward treys. The Balkans edged a little nearer, but were stillfully 60-91 behind. The last session had the Balkans pegging away, with Nemanya Despotovic and Nikola Bozovic getting in among the triple scorers, but then Starlites let loose, and made their century, with Matthew Scerri coming off the bench, to strike home three triples. More came, from Darley, with three quick ones, as Radicevic grabbed another for the Balkans, in between. At the end it seemed like all the players had enjoyed the encounter, despite the basket difference.
Balkan: N. Radicevic 6, N. Despotevic 5, N. Bozovic 11, T. Grech 11, P. Walk 37, A. Schembri 4, M. Gauci Montaldo 2, S. Todorovic 3, N. Komienic 4, N. Kovacevic
Starlites: O. Psaila, N. Formosa 16, R. Bonnici 5, I. Felice Pace 2, C. Ward 22, M. Falzon 2, A. Felice Pace 16, R. Carabott 6, M. Scerri 15, W. Darley 26, J. Stotts 19
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, K. Dworniczak