Tata Motors Loyola 56

A to Z Elec. Athleta 70

(14-15, 14-20, 14-9, 14-26)

The final score is harsh on Loyola, who actually were ahead, at the start of the last session. This latest victory is the fifth that Athleta recorded over Loyola this season, in four different competitions.

Loyola relied on on the duo, David Camilleri and Rashanti harris for their points, but the champions were more varied in obtaining points, and their late thrusts in the match were decisive, as they drew away at the right moments.

Loyola had a couple of players missing, Joshua Anastasi and Clint Cassar, and Jean Paul Azzopardi was playing for the first time, with his new side. Athleta were still without Andras Fekete.

Athleta had Michael Naudi involved heavily in their opening 8-2 run, but Loyola replied with a David Camilleri triple.

Naudi was still going on for the champions, as they held on to their advantage, but late points from Harris brought Loyola to just a point behind, and they were mixing it well.

The second session began with triples at either end, with Omar Said for the champions, and an instant trey from Camilleri, who replied the dose a little later as Loyola jumped in front, and Harris and Camilleri expanded their lead.

Athleta returned with a 7-2 run, and the period ended with a further three basket spread, as Athleta went on till the interval, on a 35-28 advantage.

After the break Athleta increased their lead fractionally, but Loyola responded well, as they made up a 10-2 run, again through Harris and Camilelri points, the latter also with a fourth trey.

Loyola were quite near, but Athleta kept their noses in front, and they were leading 44-42, with a last session to be played. Camilleri’s next triple had Loyola ahead, but a little later it was the champions who embarked on a heavy 14-2 run, with a Steve Schembri triple, and more Dirk Schembri points.

Camilleri tried to infuse more steel in Loyola’s attacks, but a further 7-0 Athleta run, with a second Schembri trey, put the result beyond doubt, even though Camilleri had time to sink in one more triple for Loyola

Loyola: 2 S. Pace, B. Zammit, 28 D. Camilleri, 1 S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella, 4 A. Axiaq, JP Azzopardi, J. Ransley, 21 R. Harris

Athleta: 14 M. Naudi, I. Buldakov, 4 D. Bugeja, 13 M. Todorovic, M. Giusti, 6 O. Said, 16 D. Schembri, 4 A. Bonnici, 4 K. Baldacchino, 9 S. Schembri

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