Depiro 52
Bupa 87
(11-25)(15-12)(11-31)(15-19)
The Bupa machine keeps rolling on. They were meeting Depiro for the second time this season, and on both occasions they had handsome victories, with nearly similar scores.
Depiro had a good reaction in the seocnd quarter, but Bupa produced their back-breaking treys after the interval, to make the match a no-contest, as they went inexorably on towards the final three games.
Depiro were once more with missing players, including Marco Arsovski. They began with an Andrew Aquilina trey, but Bupa turned the score around with a Steve Schembri trey. Depiro went back in front, for the last time, as the Violets quickly turned on the pressure, and a strong 15-0 run, with Matijevic free shots and a Robert Azzopardi trey, took them off to a sound advantage, which they kept till the end of the session.
In the second quarter Matijevic sank a trio of treys in a row, for a 31-11 lead. Depiro rallied, to surprise Bupa, as the Violets were hit hard, suffering a harrowing 15-2 run, with two Roderick Vella treys and Isaac tanti points.
The run was finally stopped with a brace of Dirk Schembri hoops, for a much closer 37-26 score, at the interval, for the Violets.
After the break Depiro were really mauled, as Robert Azzopardi and Steve Schembri put in quick treys, and they kept on sinking their long shots to their hearts?content, especially Azzopardi, who made six in all.
Bupa could then afford to rest Matijevic, and Marco Mercieca came on to go twice through the Depiro defence, for his hoops. After three sessions the Violets were home and dry, on a 68-37 advantage.
The final quarter started much quieter, as Depiro had the sting taken out of them. Bupa’s bench players came on court, and Steve Schembri and Tom Paris made their points. Depiro managed a 7-0 run, mainly through free throws, and Bupa made a good ending to the game, with a long 13-2 run, and more Marco Mercieca hoops. Ten wins and two to go are Bupa's league tally so far.
Depiro: 17 R. Vella, D. Debono, M. Sammut, 4 G. Muscat, 9 A. Aquilina, 4 A. Tabone, 9 J. Gatt, 5 E. Lupo, 4 I. Tanti
Bupa: R. Dalli, 9 M. Mercieca, 22 R. Azzopardi, S. Mizzi, 2 A. Borg, A. Bianchi, M. Bonnici, 7 T. Paris, 14 D. Schembri, 17 M. Matijevic, 16 S. Schembri
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Clive Terribile
Compleet IS SW 84
Floriana 63
(14-13)(18-18)(30-19)(22-13)
Compleet completed the formality of their last group game, obtaining their thrid seasonal victory over Floriana. Compleet thus kept their second position in the final standings, already assured of a place in the final three.
Floriana were at their tails for half of the match, but after the break Compleet pulled away, to ensure a safe ending, although they were never at their best.
For them, Michael Naudi is still a spectator, when he is seriously needed for the important matches ahead.
Floriana were sporting a new set of jerseys, and after they suffered the first points, their adventurous play brought them a couple of treys, from Gareth Gilson and Sascha Saakian. Compleet trailed for most of the session, but they made a spurt at the end, and Silvio Cassar’s forays in attack gave Compleet a minimal lead.
In the second quarter Compleet seemed to take the game in hand, as Silvio Cassar was still putting in his hoops. A 12-5 run saw Floriana reply with a karl Borg trey, and the Greens didn't stop there. An 8-0 run, with Gilson free shots and a second Saakian trey, tied the score, at 26-26.
Compleet went back in front, but Floriana’s Saakian made his third trey, and Compleet were once more resting on a solitary point advantage, 32-31, at the interval.
After the break Compleet came out strongly, to post a 9-1 run, with an Omar Said trey. Floriana recovered, to keep pace, a few points behind their adversaries, at 38-44.
Compleet forced the issue again, to gain a substantial lead, only for the Greens to benefit from a series of free shots, and Saakian also sank his fourth trey, Compleet were still able to hold a 62-50 lead after three sessions.
In the final quarter Saakian was still making his points, but Omar Said was a good reply for Compleet, who then relied on fast breaks, to pull clear of their opponents, on a 12-2 run.
Floriana were left behind as they opened up to go near once more. Compleet found more space to sink their hoops. At the end Karl Borg put in his second trey for Floriana, who finished up their group matches still seeking a win.
Compleet: I. Buldakov, C. Calleja, 13 E. Bezzina, J. galea, 4 T. Riolo, 22 O. Said, 12 A. Micallef, 4 K. Baldacchino, 25 S. Cassar, 4 R. Mifsud
Floriana: 4 B. Riolo, 10 A. Sultana, K. Azzopardi, 29 S. Saakian, 12 G. Gilson, M. Pajic, J. Tanti, 8 K. Borg
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro