A- Z Elec. Athleta 70

Depiro Mtarfa 54

(16-9, 18-14, 7-15, 29-16)

The final score was a little bit harsh on Depiro given the circumstances of their game and the way they came back after the interval.

Athleta had previously opened up a healthy advantage which came to nothing after Depiro’s revival.

Athleta picked themselves up again and Steve Schembri’s triples paved the way for a good win. Depiro couldn’t make it back a second time and the champions eased through to their opening victory in a best of five encounter. From five games against each othe,r Athleta have now registered their fourth win and are on their way to claim back to back championship successes.

Athleta presented their best formation. Depiro had the misfortune of losing the services of their American player Greg Hamlin - sidelined with a keyhole surgical intervention which left him as a spectator for this opening final game.

It was free throws at both ends at first but then Marco Todorovic put in his points for an 8-2 Athleta advantage. Depiro cut down on their deficit with a brace of hoops.

The champions were then back with another 8-2 run and hoopd from Addison Bonnici for another better lead. Depiro’s late efforts did not have effect as Athleta held on to their advantage.

In the second session, Depiro’s first attempts to draw closer were thwarted by an Omar Said triple for Athleta. Play was then shared for a while before the champions made up a further 8-2 run ending with a Steve Schembri triple.

Depiro’s response brought about a similar 8-2 run but Athleta’s reduced advantage was enhanced with another late triple again by Schembri for a 34-23 score to the champions at the interval.

After the break, Athleta suddenly found themselves in difficulties. They were unable to add on to their tally for more than half the period and they saw Depiro come forward in earnest to establish a solid 14-2 run as Athleta’s advantage withered away under a Depiro onslaught.

Depiro overturned the score but Athleta had Steve Schembri handy as he pulled them out of their rut with his points also with a trey.

The champions could breathe a little easier and went into the final period on a 41-38 favourable score. That was the tonic they needed.

Depiro did venture to within a point at first but when Athleta got into their stride once more they poured in a sound 15-0 run with two more triples from Schembri and more Todorovic points. Depiro stopped them with a Nigel Sultana trey but the damage had been done and the champions kept going with another 8-4 run as Todorovic owned the zone.

Sultana netted another triple for Depiro but it was really splashes from Depiro as Michael Naudi obtained late points for the champions as his side maintained a discreet distance from their opponents for a safe victory.

Athleta: 10  M. Naudi,  I. Buldakov, 2 D. Bugeja, 20 M. Todorovic,  M. Giusti, 19 S. Schembri, 8 O. Said, 6 D. Schembri, 5 A. Bonnici,  K. Baldacchino, A. Fekete

Depiro: 20 R. Vella,  JP Schembri, 13 N. Sultana, 4 A. Aquilina, 7 A. Portelli, 6 A.Micallef,  E. Lupo, 2 M. Mallia, 2 I. Tanti

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara. A. Carbonaro