Tata Motors Loyola 73

BUPA Luxol 74

(after overtime)

(17-17)(14-14)(13-21)(22-14)(7-8)

Luxol went on court, at last, for the last match of the second round, which resulted in a very close encounter which had to go into overtime, and there was very nearly a second one. With both teams level at the buzzer, but with Loyola on a free shot after a foul, they were punished for an invasion of the court, after their last hoop, which had brought the sides level once more. Loyola failed their extra shot, and Nikola Vasovic netted his second free throw, to give the Violets the spoils.

Loyola had Francesca Nicastro being roped in for the match. Luxol were without Robert Azzopardi, suspended, and Andrew Cremona and Edgar Caruana Montaldo missing.

After hoops from both sides, Jovan Mihailovic netted a Loyola triple when they made up a 10-2 run. It was Luxol’s turn for treys, when Vasovic, Jean Paul Bonnici and Petar Apcev made theirs, but Billy Zammit also put in his triple and the two sides were level.

In the second quarter a 7-2 Luxol run, with a second Apcev trey, had them in front. Stefan Vella replied for Loyola, also with a triple, but the Violets kept their advantage, until a late burst by Loyola saw them tie the score twice, and at the interval the teams were on a 31-31 score.

After the break the triples were still raining in. Shawn Pace and David Camilleri were on the mark for Loyola, but the Violets had Vasovic and Apcev, both twice more, in a solid 17-2 run, which gave them a healthy advantage. Zammit nailed a second Loyola triple before the end of the session for a 52-44 Luxol lead.

Bonnici added on two more treys in the final period, as Luxol increased their lead, but Loyola came rushing back with a hefty 20-4 run and triples by Zammit and Pace as they stormed in front. Vasovic saved the game for Luxol with another trey and a free throw and the game went into overtime.

Loyola made the better start, going ahead, until Vasovic sank a further triple. Luxol were leading when Alex Tabone put in his hoop and was fouled, right on time. Then came the incidents mentioned above and Luxol scraped through to their victory.

Loyola: 18 S. Pace, 11 B. Zammit, 8 D. Camilleri, F. Nicastro, L. Azzopardi, M. Cilia, 7 S. Vella, 4 A. Axiaq, 20 J. Mihailovic, 2 J. Anastasi, J. Ransley, 3 A. Tabone

Luxol: C. Cardona, 5 M. mercieca, A. Micallef Trigona, 26 P. Apcev, A. Costa, 19 N. Vasovic, 8 T. Paris, 16 JP Bonnici

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile