Gzira Athleta     53     Fusion B'ball     83

 (8-18, 11-19, 17-23, 17-23)

Athleta had obtained their first league win just two days before, but had to bow to a superior side this time around. Fusion had four new players to bolster the side, and the champions were not in the same street as them. Athleta also were a changed side, from a couple of days before. Absent still were their foreigners, the Serbian, Alex Novakovic, and the Italian, Nicolo Guida, along with Jonathan Ransley. They had their Macedonian, Nikola Zdravevski, back, with the Italian, nadir Serafini, and introduced young Nikola Stefanovic, to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother, Luca. Fusian were without, the Mitic brothers, Stefan and Nikola, and also missing was Nemanja Mihailovic, but new faces were Antonio Ivankovic, Nenad Trajkovic, Alex Veselinovic and Petar Ilic.

Fusion went straight into the lead, with Nikola Bozovic and Nebojsa Komienic points, in an 11-2 run. Athleta reacted with the Lithwanian, Karolis Vitonis, hoops, but the remainder of the session was in Fusion's hands, as they extended their advantage, with another 7-0 run. The second period was still favourable to the Balkan side, as they pierced the Athleta defence at will, making up a 19-4 run, with Veselinovic and Bozovic treys. Athleta made a sort of recovery, with Serafini points, and a triple. Trajkovic netted a late Fusion trey, and at the interval his side were well in front, on a 37-19 score.

After the break Athleta were yet on the receiving end, as Fusion poured in another 10-2 run, with another Bozovic trey, and Veselinovic free throws. Athleta finally reacted, making up an 11-2 run, but were still at a distance, and then fell further in arrears, as Fusion ended the session with three more treys, from the Spanish, David Garcia and two from Bozovic,for a strong 60-36 score.   The last quarter was a replica of the one before it. Fusion kept on increasing their advantage, as Igor Marjanovic and Bozovic put in more triples. Midway through the session Athleta rallied, with an 1-2 run, with Fusion ending the game with their last points, and a fifth Bozovic trey.        

Athleta: A. Kechagias, J. Wait, K. Vitanis 19, N. Zdravevski 2, H. Agius 1, N. Stefanovic 4, N. Buhagiar 14, N. Serafini 14, E. Abela 4, R. Abela

Fusion: N. Bozovic 30, A. Ivankovic 11, D. Garcia 7, N. Konienic 10, N. Trajkovic 3, A. Veselinovic 6, J. Jovancevic 5, I. Marjanovi 5, P. Ilic 6

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, L. Camilleri

 

Mellieha Libertas     66     Hibernians     75

 (14-11, 17-25, 15-20, 20-19)

Mellieha were riding high from the start of the season, tasted their first defeat at the hands of the young Hibs' side, who have now overtaken their opponents, when both teams have a loss in five matches, with the Paolites claiming top place, with a direct encounter. Mellieha had already beaten Hibs twice brfore, in the Shiled, and in the same competition's final. but it was third time lucky for the Paolites. Mellieha introduced David Camilleri, now with the team, for his first seasonal appearance, and also recovered Emanuel Lupo, and the Portuguese, Joao Vaz, but had Serbian, Alex Perunicic, missing along with the other Portuguese, Miguel Costa.  Hibs also had a former Floriana player, Sean Borg, in their ranks, for the first time, but were without Matthew Formosa, Ayrton Galea and Neil Cassar.

Mellieha had the opening advantage, with their Serbian, Nenad Stojanovski, hoops, with Hibs making a positive reply, with a 9-2 run. Mellieha regained their lead with late triples, from the Philippine, Jhun Lisandro, and the Portuguese, Ricardo Costa. The next period had plenty of points to offer. Mellieha extended their lead, only for the Paolites to come up with an 11-1 run, and a Kieron Caruana trey. Mellieha tried to jump ahead once more, but were thwarted, as Caruana netted two more triples. Mellieha had newcomer, Camilleri, sinking a brace of treys, but late Paul Attard buckets had Hibs in front, on a 36-31 score, at the interval.

After the break Mellieha were still trailing for the whole session. Free throws helped them to go near, but were pushed back, as Attard and Luke Farrugia sank treys for Hibs, for a double figure advantage. Mellieha's next points always had Hibs making an answer, and after three periods of play, the Paolites were on a 56-46 advantage. The last session had Mellieah again drawing nearer, with a four-hoop spread, but there was Caruana once more, with his fourth triple, to take Hibs to a better lead. Costa and Lisandro made more Mellieha triples in a last-ditch effort, but Hibs held firm, and killed off the match, with long possessions, and the last points of the match, through free shots, for a better scoreline in their favour.

Mellieha: A. Schembri 4, R. Loporto 2, D. Camilleri 6, J. Vaz, C. Lastimosa, C. Briffa 7, N. Stojanovski 15, E. Lupo 6, K. Skrabec, C. Sultana, R. Costa 11, J. Lisandro 15        

Hibs: P. Attard 9, L. Farrugia 15, I. Bonett 17, K. Caruana 22, R. Aquilina, S.Borg 7, M. Attard 1, K. Sultana 4

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, V. Nikolic