Starlites GIG     77     Gzira Athleta    90

Agg. 151-162

 (10-16, 24-22, 13-20, 30-32)

Athleta started the match two points in arrears, but they won the second encounter with points to spare, even after aggregate, having the better of a Starlites side, who held leads till midway through the second period, but then spent the remainder of the encounter chasing after their adversaries. They were close till late in the third session, when Athleta pulled away, to take control. A late Starlites flurry, with triples, brought about some hope, but Athleta stood firm, to make their last free shots, and ascertain themselves of a tenth Cup success, after a three season wait. It was a thrilling match, with personal defence for most of the time, at either end, and some very enthralling personal duels. Man of the match, American, Connell Crossland, has now ingrained himself well in Athleta's scheme of things, with American, Vincent Pace, also hiking up a good tally of points. Starlites' americans tried their utmost, but this time they had to play second fiddle, and bow to their opponents' endeavors.

Starlites held early leads, with Americans, Jordan Stotts and Cameron Ward, triples. An 8-0 Athleta run had them ahead, after the opening session, holding out with some effective defence. In the next period Starlites went nearer, and them went ahead again, as Alec felice Pace distinguished himself, also with a trey, as also netted William Darley. Athleta responded with Crossland and Matthew Gouder hoops, to regain their advantage, and when Starlites were within a point once more, late in the session, there was Pace with his triple, to take Athleta to a 38-34 halftime lead.

After the break Ward and Felice Pace had Starlites snapping at Athleta's heels once again, but Crossland was constant, and his trey had Athleta opening up their advantage. Starlites tried to bridge the gap, but late points had Athleta enhancing their lead, to a solid 58-47 score. The last quarter found Starlites gaining ground, as Ward and Darley put in triples, with Pace netting his in between. Starlites were finding great resistance, as Peter shoults covered miles of court, to help Athleta regain their original double figure advantage Starlites' final spurt had them nailing four triples, two each from Stotts and Ward, but Athleta still found chinks in the opposing defence, to hold their lead steady, with a brace of Nathan Xuereb fast breaks. Starlites' last, desperate ploy, to stop the shot clock, was to no avail, as Athleta sank their last free throws, to claim their first honour of the season.

After the match, both sets of players were presented with medals, by the MBA president emeritus, Louis Borg, with skipper, Peter Shoults, receiving the winning cup, after two great performances by both sides.

Starlites: A. Felice Pace 14, O. Psaila, N. Formosa, R. Bonnici, I. Felice Pace, C. Ward 15, M. Falzon, M. Scerri, R. Carabott, W. Darley 14, A. Sears 2, J. Stotts 29 

Athleta: N. Vasovic, C. Crossland 35, P. Shoults 2, L. Stefanovic, A. Perunicic, N. Xuereb 8, M. Gouder 10, V. Pace 29, I. Mitrovic, J. Guity 6

Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, K. Dworniczak