Heartbreak for Loyola, as win is not enough

Tata Motors Loyola 50 Depiro Mtarfa 47

(26-4)(2-9)(11-10)(11-24)

Loyola looked good enough until the start of the final session. They were locked in basket difference, with another team, Luxol, besides Depiro, and Loyola were holding their own up till then. The last period let them down, although they started on a confident note, but as time wore on Depiro began to find spaces in the Loyola rearguard, and the more they went nearer, the more Loyola's hopes faded, unitl they finished up with a minimal victory, which didn't help their cause.

Loyola had an unchanged side from their last encounter. Depiro introduced a new youngster, Florin Agius, but Clayton Farrugia and Bjorn Borg were missing.

Loyola had a dream start, replying to Depiro's opening hoop with a three trey spread, two by David Camilleri and another from Shawn Pace. Depiro's further answer, through free throws, had Loyola again in a dominant mood, as they subjected their opponents to a 17-0 run, and more triples, again from Camilleri, and Stefan Vella, as they left depiro in their wake till the end of the period. The second session was an incredible one, with a shortage of points, and only a single basket registered. Loyola could only put in two free shots, and Depiro gnawed away at their deficit, also with free throws, mostly from Roderick vella, who made the only hoop of the session. At the halfway stage Loyola were still on a steady 28-13 advantage.

After the break the game remained balanced, but with Depiro unable to make any inroads to their deficit. Jovan Mihailovic stood out for Loyola , keeping his side with their necessary advantage. Depiro were still relying heavily on free shots, but they were trailing badly, after three periods, at 23-39. Loyola repelled Depiro's first attempts, in the final quarter, with a Mihailovic triple, but then Depiro came to life, with a 10-2 run, by Vella and Jeffrey Gatt, and basket difference went in their favour. Loyola struck back, to open up hopes once more, but they were hit yet again in the final stages, as the Mtarfa side made up another 7-0 run. Depiro were still behind, but they were content to let their adversaries take the win, with a certain place in the semis.

Loyola: 5 S. Pace, B. Zammit, 12 D. Camilleri, C. Cassar, S. Borg, M. Cilia, 3 S. Vella, 5 A. Axiaq, 20 J. Mihailovic, J. Anastasi,

J. Ransley, 5 A. Tabone

Depiro: 19 R. Vella, JP Schembri, 5 D. Bugeja, F. Agius, 2 A. Aquilina, 13 J. Gatt, J. Camilleri, 1 E. Lupo, 1 M. Mallia, 6 I. Tanti,

G. Mercieca

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, S. Micallef