A high scoring game, open all the way, saw Luxol obtain their goal of a place in the Play Off final. They also made the double over Athleta in this Championship Pool. Athleta notched a fine total of eighteen triples in all, with the Violets bagging seven more, in their march towards the final two place. As the score suggests, both sets of attackers held sway over the opposing defenders, with the lead last changing hands late in the match.

Luxol’s opening two hoops had replies from Athleta in the shape of triples, by Jonathan zammit and Steve Schembri. Athleta went on to lead 10-4, but the violets made up a three basket spread. After points at both ends, Antoine Costa netted a Luxol triple, as his side went in front. Steve Schembri restored Athleta’s advantage, but Luxol hit back for another lead. Late in the session Athleta poured in a poker triples, twice each from Etienne Bezzina and Zammit, as their side went ahead, on a double figure advantage. In the second period Luxol started to cut down on their deficit. It was Nikola Vasovic with his triple, but Kristin Baldacchino netted a brace of hoops for Athleta, but Luxol reacted with two more treys, by Jean Paul Bonnici and Vasovic. Athleta made an adequate reply, with similar triples, from Addison Bonnici, and twice from Chris Galea, as they forged in front once again. Luxol put in a trio of hoops, but they were still 45-48 behind at the interval.

After the break Athleta found difficulty in obtaining points. On the other hand, Petar Apcev was more in the action for the Violets, when his side began with a 10-2 run, and the lead changed hands. Dirk Schembri netted a triple for Athleta, but Luxol held on to their advantage. Athleta made a late 7-2 run, ending with another Zammit triple, but Luxol also netted a trey, by Vasovic once more, as they finished the period 66-62 in front. In the last session Apcev kept Luxol ahead, but Athleta then resorted to triples again, and Omar said sank three, together with two more from Galea, and one from Addison Bonnici, as they recaptured another lead. Luxol made a brace of treys, from Vasovic, and although Steve Schembri nailed a late triple, the Violets held on to their advantage, and claimed the second position, into a Play Off final.

Athleta 8 M. Naudi, 14 J. Zammit, 7 D. Schembri, 8 E. Bezzina, 12 C. Galea, 9 O. Said, 15 A. Bonnici, 4 K. Baldacchino, A. Ryan, 11 S. Schembri

Luxol C. Cordina, 6 M. Mercieca, 4 R. Azzopardi, 10 A. Micallef Trigona, 29 P. Apcev, 5 A. Costa, A. Cremona, E. Caruana Montaldo, 14 JP Bonnici, S. Capello

Referees G. Barbara, E. Mangani, L. Camilleri