Floriana FF 90

Tata Motors Loyola 69

(21-17, 25-19, 23-19, 21-14)

Floriana acquired their first league victory, and it was their second win over Loyola, in three matches this season. The change in their foreigner proved very beneficial to the Greens, as he combined well with his team, especially the Sammut brothers.

Loyola’s American found his direct opponent a hard nut to crack, as he met his match. Loyola couldn’t make any headway, given the fact that Floriana won all the four sessions.

The Greens paraded their new, American, signing, Evan Fjeld, instead of Bryant Williams. They had Jeremy Curmi and Mark Ciantar missing, leaving them with a seven man side. Loyola also had their absentees, Clint Cassar and Joshua Anastasi, and their new signing, John Paul Azzopardi, awaits the passing of the week’s signing up time.

Chris Sammut replied twice to Loyola’s opening hoop, but David Camilleri sank a triple for Loyola. Then it was Fjeld, in an 8-2 run for the Greens. A little later, Floriana mustered up another 9-3 run, with Steve Sammut’s triple for the Greens, and Billy Zammit doing likewise for Loyola.

The session’s last points came from Rashanti Harris, as Loyola reduced their deficit. In the second period Floriana held on to their advantage, despite Loyola’s constant efforts, at close quarters. Later on the Greens put together a 9-3 run, with a Loyola triple, from Shawn Pace.

It was then Loyola’s turn, with a 7-2 run, and a second Pace trey. Harris was also making the hoops for Loyola, but Fjeld was obtaining more Floriana points, helping them to a session ending 9-0 run, along with Clayton calleja free throws. At the interval Floriana were on a 46-36 advantage.

After the break Fjeld continued on his merry way for the Greens, putting in his points. Pace nailed a further Loyola triple. Later on Loyola put in an 8-2 run, with more Harris hoops, but Floriana were better, with a 7-0 run, and a Chris Sammut trey. Pace reduced the arrears, but Floriana were still on a good 69-55 lead. In the last session the Greens held their own against the Loyola furious attempts to get within the distance. Anton Axiaq made two hoops for Loyola, but Calleja did the same at the other end. Flroiana then built up a 10-2 run, as Fjeld picked up once more, and his points ended the match decidedly in Floriana’s favour.

Floriana: 16 C. Sammut, 5 I. Mercieca, 19 S. Sammut. 6 C. Calleja, A. Baldacchino, 44 E. Fjeld, A. Sultana

Loyola: 14 S. Pace, 5 B. Zammit, 6 D. Camilleri, 2 S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella, 10 A. Axiaq, 2 J. Ransley, 30 R. Harris

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Terribile