Floriana MCP Car Parks     116     Depiro     82

(33-20, 26-18, 22-27, 35-17)

The Greens were already assured of a semi-final place, in the Play Offs, and they are now preparing for their clashes with the Paolites. They faced a Depiro side, minus two of their American imports, Trent Steen and Keshaun Hamilton. Also missing were Omar Said and Malcolm Mallia. Floriana's victory was marred by an injury to David Bugeja, early on in the match, taking no further part. It remains to be seen if he will be available for Wednesday's encounter, in the first match of the Play Off semi-final.

Floriana started well enough, with an initial 9-0 run, and a Kieron Caruana trey. Nicholas Grech netted his triple, for Depiro, with Caruana replying immediately, with a second trey. Depiro struck back, and managed to tie the score, as Grech sank another triple. The Greens were again in front, and American, Ian Thiesen, and Caruana made more triples. Depiro fell further behind, as Belgian, Gael Hulsen, made the last points of the session, for Floriana. The second period had Floriana drawing further away, but a brief spurt had Depiro creeping back, as American, Jack Nygaard, netted a trey. The Greens' answer was a good 14-2 run, with Kurt Xuereb and David Agius points, and a trey, from Estonian, Kevin Liivamagi. Nygaard managed a second triple, but Floriana extended their lead, to a 59-38 score, at the interval.

After the break it was Depiro coming out well, with a 10-2 run, as Matthew Borg and Nygaard put in more treys. It didn't last long, as Floriana were all over their opponents, with a heavy 16-2 run, and treys by Shawn Pace and Liivamagi. Till the end of the session Depiro burst out, with a total of five treys, with braces from Grech and the Czech, Adam Chomo, and another from Nygaard. The Greens were still 81-65 ahead, into the last quarter. Depiro were again on the receiving end, as Flroians put in points at will, and Caruana netted another triple. Grech claimed his fifth trey, for Depiro, but the century was near for the Greens, with Spaniard, Ignacio Arias, making the hundred-mark hoop, but Floriana kept right on, as Thiesen and Arias sank more triples. Depiro ended their commitments for the season, as Floriana extended their score till the final buzzer.

Floriana: S. Pace 5, D. Bugeja, K. Caruana 28, K. Liivamagi 14, I. Arias 15, I. Thiesen 22, K. Xuereb 11, G. Hulsen 13, D. Agius 10

Depiro: J. Attard, D. Farrugia 8, M. Mallia 2, N. Grech 15, M. Brincat, M. Borg 5, J. Nygaard 25, A. Chomo 27, A. Attard

Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, C. Xuereb

 

Starlites GIG     97     Balkan Fusion     56

(30-15, 24-7, 16-16, 27-18)

Starlites duly obtained their victory over the Balkans, who managed to field a side this time around. Starlites' win ensured a second spot in the final league table, though they still have to meet Athleta, on Thursday, irrespective of the result. Starlites strolled against a six-man side, but graciously declined to pass the century mark at the end. The Balkans lost a man, Nikola Komienic, on two major fouls, midway through the last session, with the remaining players sticking it out till the end.

Starlites had a double score line at the end of the opening period. They netted five triples, as American, William Darley, Robert Bonnici, twice, Nick Formosa and Matthew Scerri found their mark. Nikola Bozovic sank his triple, for the Balkans. The latter side shared the opening minutes of the second period, with Komienic making a trey. Starlites then took over, making a long 22-2 run, till the end of the session. Darley, twice, Ryan Carabott and Formosa made more triples, and Starlites were 54-22 in front, at the halfway stage.

After the break Starlites toned down their pressure, and the Balkans managed to share the score. Starlites had American, Jordan Stotts, with a trey, and another American, Cameron ward, with more points, whilst Bozovic and Miguel Gauci Montaldo led the charge for the Balkans. At the end of the session the score stood at 70-38. The last quarter saw Alec Felice Pace starting with his Starlites triple. Komienic replied likewise, for the Balkans, but Starlites again pushed the throttle, making a solid 14-3 run. Ward netted a trey for Starlites and Stefan Todorovic also made a Balkan triple. Starlites came close to the century, but stopped short, as the Balkans made their last hoops of the season.

Starlites: A. Felice Pace 3, N. Formosa 15, R. Bonnici 11, I. Felice Pace 2, C. Ward 18, M. Falzon 2, M. Scerri 11, R. Carabott 7, W. Darley 15, J. Stotts 13

Balkan: N. Bozovic 18, A. Schembri 12, M. Gauci Montaldo 7, S. Todorovic 5,  N. Komienic 12, N. Kovacevic 2  

Referees: B. Vassallo, D. Torok, I. Simic