A to Z Electronics Athleta 91

Depiro Mtarfa 64

(20-15)(23-17)(22-10)(26-22)

Athleta romped home, as they registered their sixth victory over Depiro, to make it yet to another final, not missing one this season. They kept their positive edge to their game, although they were given a good run for their money at first, from the Depiro youngsters.. As time wore on Athleta’s class continued to show, and their performance brought about a high score.

Athleta were missing Omar said, abroad, but Clayton Calleja returned on court, late in the match, after a very long layoff. Depiro had their latest regular players.

There was a fast start to the match, with the new champions going 5-0 ahead, with a Steve Schembri triple. Depiro also had a David Bugeja trey, and they went to a point behind, before Athleta made up a 7-0 run, with a second Schembri trey, along with other Addison Bonnici points.

Depiro came right back , with a 7-2 run of their own, and a Roderick Vella triple. Dirk Schembri added on to his tally, for Athleta, before the session ended. Depiro were keeping pace with their opponents in the second period, and it was Andrew Aquilina’s hoops which kept them buoyant. Athleta put in a 7-2 run, with dirk schembri points, and when Aquilina persisted with his scoring, there came Michael Naudi for athleta, also with a triple . Bugeja netted a second trey for Depiro, but some fine combination play by the champions had them extending their advantage, with an 8-0 run. At the interval Athleta had gone on 43-32 ahead.

After the break Athleta’s momentum continued, despite the fact that Depiro could reply at first. When the champions made up a 10-2 run Depiro fell way behind, and they were not helped when Athleta kept up their intricate movements, and their lead grew to a 65-42 score. Depiro were more into the picture, with a 7-2 run, mainly from Aquilina, and they followed this up with more hoops, until Steve Schembri nailed his third triple, and Depiro’s resistance began to fade. Athleta pounced, and poured in a long 14-2 run, as more bench players made their way on court. Bugeja made late points for Depiro, including a third trey, for a better scoreline, but they were still at a distance from the winners.

Athleta: 15 M. Naudi, 2 J. Zammit, 27 D. Schembri, 6 E. Bezzina, C. Calleja, 20 A. Bonnici, 8 K. Baldacchino, 2 A. Ryan, 11 S. Schembri

Depiro: 10 R. Vella, JP Schembri, 21 D. Bugeja, 15 A. Aquilina, 5 J. Gatt, 6 E. Lupo, 5 M. Mallia, 2 I. Tanti

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile