Depiro 81

SN Suns JC 4

(12-2)(18-0)(29-0)(22-2)

This last game in the opening round of play, deferred from last Friday, saw Depiro having a whale of a time against hapless Suns, who suffered a veritable bombardment.

Depiro stifled their opponents to such an extent, that they could only pot a single basket in the opening and closing sessions, and were pointless in the others.

Although Depiro started off with a 7-0 run, and Greta Zarb points, Suns’ Diane Falzon grabbed a hoop for Suns midway through the session. It was a basket to be remembered, as Suns had to wait till the last minute of the match, to increase their score. Depiro added on to their score till the end of the quarter, for a slightly better lead.

The second session started Suns’ debacle. Zarb was still on the mark, helped by Joselle Cardona, as Depiro embarked on an 18 point run without any reply, and at the interval they were 30-2 in front.

After the break Suns were hit even worse. Cardona and Rachel Camilleri were the prime scorers, as Depiro let loose, with a 29-0 run, throughout the whole quarter.

The last session still held no respite to the beleaguered Suns. Falzon missed her free shots, after a 14-0 Depiro run, and it was left to the final minute, after a further 8-0 Depiro break, for Svetlana Micallef to obtain a second hoop, and close down the match.

Depiro: 23 Joselle Cardona, 21 Rachel Camilleri, 17 Greta Zarb

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani

* * *

MBA Shield 2 Div. Men

Valletta Ballers 59

Bell Med SN Suns 58

(15-17)(13-10)(18-12)(13-19)

This last group game in the series, also deferred from the Friday before, provided a fitting end to a closely fought category, and brought into focus the basket difference in direct encounters.

Valletta’s first win brought them level on points, with the same Suns and Mosta, but the Citizens still ended up behind their two other contenders, when all three had a win and a loss each. Mosta had seven points to their credit, Suns were two points ahead and Valletta were left with a debit of nine points.

Valletta needed a bigger winning margin, to qualify, but Hubert Agius hit them with a trey from the start, as they fell 0-6 behind.

Valletta rallied, to take the lead with a Don Ross trey, at 7-6, but Suns’ treys, through Trevor Grech, with two, and another by Sam Farrugia, turned the score around again. Valletta’s treys, by Mark Pace and Don Ross, brought them closer, but they were still in arrears.

In the second session the Citizens took the lead with a Gauci Grech trey. Suns hit back, with Michael Amaira points, went in front, but had to concede the advantage once more, points by Ivan Riolo, including a trey, gave Valletta a slim halftime lead, on a 28-27 score.

After the break, and a brief Suns lead, Valletta had a good patch, and an 11-0 run, with treys by Don Ross, helped them to their biggest lead during the match. Suns came back to reduce the deficit, but Valletta kept their advantage as the third session ended, and were 46-39 in front.

The last quarter was closely fought. Valletta still managed to remain in front, despite Suns’ efforts to overturn the score. Midway through it was 52-47, as Clayton Agius and Michel Curmi sank treys for Suns.

Riolo and Ross contrived to keep the Citizens ahead, and Clayton Agius’ points in the last minute, including a trey, were not enough, as the Citizens celebrated their first seasonal win, but were unable to contest the semi finals, as Qormi will now meet Suns and St. James will play Mosta.

Valletta: 19 Don Ross, 18 Ivan Riolo

Suns: 11 Clayton Agius, 9 Sam Farrugia

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile