A to Z Electronics Athleta 87

Depiro Mtarfa 54

(26-10, 18-20, 25-13, 18-11)

Athleta laid claim to their back to back league titles, and their ninth overall, with a solid victory over Depiro, who simply weren’t in their own class. Athleta made their intentions very clear from the start, and imposed their dominance on the match, giving Depiro no room to stage any spectacular comebacks. They quickly established a double figure advantage, and Depiro could never get beyond it, as Athleta won their fifth honour from the six that were for grabs throughout the season.

Athleta recovered Kristin Baldacchino, but Michael Naudi was still missing, and along with hin Ivan Buldakov also. Depiro had Greg Hamlin back, after his operation, to bolster his side.

After the opening points at both ends, Depiro briefly kept in touch, but from a 6-6 score the tide turned heavily towards the champions. They made up a 9-0 run, with Dirk Schembri hoops and a triple from his brother, Steve. Depiro reacted with a couple of Nigel Sultana baskets, but Athleta were back, and till the end of the period there was another 9-0 run in their favour, with Omar said points, as they built up a sound 26-10 advantage. In the second period Athleta could increase their lead, with a David Bugeja triple. Depiro began to click for some time, when they put in an 8-2 run, with Abraham Portelli hoops, and a Hamlin triple. Athleta recovered, but Hamlin was not done yet, with more personal points, and another trey. There were more triples till the interval, with Said for the champions, ans a late one from Roderick Vella, for Depiro, who were still 30-44 behind, halfway through the encounter.

After the break Depiro ahd to bear the full brunt of the champions’ insistence. Athleta started with a 10-1 run, and Marco Todorov points, along with another Steve Schembri triple. Depiro stopped them temporarily, with a handful of points, but Athleta answered back with another 9-0 run, as they swept clear of their adversaries. When depiro reacted, with Portelli and Vella points, the champions made more treys, through Said and Schembri once more, when they went on a 69-43 lead. In the final session Athleta were still in a dominant mood, and this showed in a strong 16-2 run, and Addison Bonnici points, and a second Bugeja triple. Depiro had Sultana netting a brace of treys, and late in the game Hamlin also sank a third triple, only to register the final score in the game, bringing the top Men’s games to an end.

After the match The MSV Life CEO, David Curmi, presented the championship trophy to Omar Said, in the absence of Michael Naudi, as the Athleta players and supporters celebrated the end of a very successful season.

Athleta 8 D. Bugeja, 16 M. Todorovic, M. Giusti, 11 S. Schembri, 11. O Said, 22 D. Schembri, 17 A. Bonnici, K. Baldacchino, 2 A. Fekete

Depiro 9 R. Vella, JP Schembri, 12 N. Sultana, A. Aquilina, 14 A. Portelli, 3 A.Micallef, E. Lupo, M. Mallia, I. Tanti, 16 G. Hamlin

Referees B. Vassallo, A. Mangani, A. Carbonaro