Bupa Luxol 55
A to Z Electronics Athleta 76
(10-21)(16-15)(15-24)(14-16)
Athleta obtained the victory they needed, their second in as many matches, to be crowned league champions, after a four year wait. They paid back in full the two defeats suffered against Luxol in the championship pool matches. After establishing a good first session advantage, they prevented the Violets from gaining ground, in the second period. Athleta then made sure after the interval, when they opened up a substantial lead, to cruise through the rest of the encounter. It was their fourth honour this season, with a further one to be played for, in the coming days.
Luxol presented a full formation. Athleta had Chris Galea missing from their line up, besides Clayton Calleja, on his long term injury.
The Violets opened up brightly, going 5-0 ahead, with a Nikola Vasovic triple. Athleta replied in like fashion, also with a Steve Schembri trey. Luxol reacted once more, and a Marco Mercieca triple helped them to a 10-5 advantage. Athleta stopped their opponents dead in their tracks, and proceeded to pour in a hefty 16-0 run, with more triples, from Michael Naudi and Steve schembri again. This took them to the end of the period, and a double figure advantage. Athleta were still goping on in the second session, and a 7-2 run extended their lead further. Luxol’s reaction came at last, and they put in a 10-3 run, as vasovic netted his second triple, with Etienne Bezzina also sinking a trey for Athleta. Play swung from one end to another for some time, with Vasovic grabbing another trey, in a last second effort, before the interval. Athleta were still 36-26 in front, halfway through the match.
After the break Luxol tried to reduce the arrears quickly, but Athleta were ready for them. Omar Said and Steve Schembri put in moré triples, for a better advantage. The Violest reacted for some time, but they couldn’t prevent Athleta from making up a 9-0 run, with yet another Steve schembri trey. There were free throws at either end till the end of the session, which saw Athleta on a solid advantage, at 60-41. The chapter was closed, as regards the result, with Luxol unable to make any inroads to their large deficit. Athleta had more triples to show, as Said and Bezzina boosted their tally. Their side made up an 11-2 run, late in the session, with the Violets ending the match with their points, before Athleta could celebrate their league championship success.
After the match Athleta, through their player, Addison Bonnici, were presented with their championship trophy, by the outgoing MBA president, Mag. Antonio Mizzi, who is not going to contest the presidential seat in the coming days, after a long fourteen years in office.