A to Z Electronics Athleta 81

Bupa Luxol 65

(21-13)(18-14)(22-17)(20-21)

Athleta took the first step to reclaim the league title, last won four years ago. They also paid back the last two defeats they suffered against the same Luxol, in the Championship Pool. After Athleta’s early lead, Luxol could only manage to tie the score once, but then had to spend the remainder of the match chasing after their adversaries. Luxol had some tense moments on the bench, after an altercation between their coach and captain, but by that time Athleta had been dictating the play for some time, and at times there were some well worked out combinations, which brought about several points.

Athleta were at full strength for this match. Luxol were without Tom Paris, and with Jeff Gambin in lieu of Stefan Capello.

Athleta started with Michael Naudi on the bench, and Omar Said and Kristin Baldacchino gave their side a 6-0 lead. The Violets managed an adequate reply, with a 7-2 run, and a Nikola Vasovic triple, as they went a point behind. The two sides then shared some play, with Petar Apcev grabbing hoops for Luxol, including another triple. For the remainder of the session it was Athleta forcing the game, with Naudi on court, and with Dirk Schembri nailing a late triple, for a 9-1 run. In the second period both sides took time to score, until Luxol opened their account. Athleta reacted with free throws, for a double figure advantage. The Violets had to resort to Apcev once more, but he could only reply to further Athleta points, and an Etienne Bezzina triple. Apcev also netted a trey, but Athleta’s useful advantage remained, and at the halfway stage they were enjoying a 39-27 score.

After the break Luxol, through Apcev yet again, sought to get nearer, but their early attempts failed, even though Apcev netted a third triple. Some delightful play by Athleta had Dirk schembri and Addison Bonnici piercing their opponents’ defence, to open up their team’s advantage. Jean Paul Bonnici and Apcev sank more triples for the Violets, but Athleta made up a 9-2 run towards the snd of the period, with an Addison Bonnici trey, for a 61-44 lead, after three sessions. The last period, after an early Luxol hoop, had Athleta increasing their advantage further, before Luxol could put in a sound 11-2 run, beginning with a Jean Paul Bonnici trey. Athleta’s reaction came soon after, with a 7-0 run, to open up an unassailable lead, as they put their bench players on court. Luxol had a fifth triple by Apcev, but Athleta held on to their sunstantial advantage.

Athleta 10 M. Naudi, 1 J. Zammit, 16 D. Schembri, 5 E. Bezzina, C. Galea, 3 O. Said, 29 A. Bonnici, 13 K. Baldacchino, 2 A. Ryan, 2 S. Schembri

Luxol 2 C. Cordina, 6 M. Mercieca, 4 R. Azzopardi, A. Micallef Trigona, 32 P. Apcev, A. Costa, 4 N. Vasovic, 4 A. Cremona, E. Caruana Montaldo, 13 JP Bonnici, J. Gambin

Referees G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro