Mellieha won this category’s first honour, and the second in their history, after dominating the match from the start. Mosta did put in a valid effort, at times, but Mellieha were always in control, and their good bench helped them to keep their match on an even keel throughout.
Mellieha had Joshua Aquilina missing, through suspension. Straight from the start Bobby Loporto sank a trey for Mellieha. After falling further behind Mosta recovered to tie the score, at 6-6: but Ben Aquilina came off the bench for Mellieha, to give them back the lead.
Mosta could only reply through Sascha Saakian, but a series of free throws and a Michael Pisani trey made up a 10-0 run for Mellieha, only broken in the last seconds, with a Saakian hoop.
The second quarter was short on points at first, then Mellieha found space, as new-entry Matthew Cauchi helped to increase their lead. Mosta co-ordinated their game, and a 10-3 run, blemished only by a Loporto trey, brought them back in with a shout. Till the end of the session the exchanges were even, but Ray Muscat put in a trey for Mosta in the last seconds, and at the interval it was a 37-27 game.
After the break, Ian Terribile, with help from his team, hiked up Mellieha’s lead again, in a 9-0 run. Mosta replied with an Adrian Pace trey, in a 7-0 break.
Mellieha stopped the rot, and went forward once more and, although Ray Muscat found his shooting form, including a trey, it was Terribile who sank two long ones at the other end, keeping his side at a distance from Mosta. After three sessions it was 62-46.
In the final quarter, instead of a good try at getting back in the game, Mosta were hit by two more treys, to fall dismally behind yet further. There was still time, and Mellieha started to get complacent. A quick three-basket burst stung Mellieha, and they recovered enough to keep their healthy lead till the end, and celebrate with their numerous supporters.
After the match the MBA vice-president Joe Depasquale Schranz presented the honours, as Mellieha added on to their KO success a good many years back.
MELLIEHA: 7 S. Magro, 3 M. Cauchi, 8 M. Pisani, 1 S. Aquilina, 6 I. Curmi, J. Muscat, 8 B. Aquilina, M. Camilleri, S. Grima, 22 I. Terribile, G. Coleiro, 18 R. Loporto
MOSTA: M. Aquilina, O. Sammut, 2 M. Bonnici, 3 A. Pace, 1 S. Schembri, 30 R. Muscat, 2 C. Farrugia, 1 M. Spiteri, 2 L. Deguara, 16 S. Saakian, J. Micallef
REFEREES: Gordon Barbara, Emanuel Mangani