BOV National League– Men  1 Div.– Play Off Final 1

Bupa Luxol     85     AtoZ Electronics Athleta     94    

(25-20, 13-24, 18-29, 29-21)

The finals are now underway, and the first one developed into a battle of wits. Athleta played their trump card early on, when they forced Samuel Deguara into committing fouls by driving into the heart of the Luxol defence repeatedely. Deguara had to be taken off, and even when he was back on court, he was very wary in defending, and the wily Athleta lads played upon his indecision, to waltz away, and open up a solid advantage. When Luxol threw caution to the wind, in the final quarter, they began to inch back into the match, but Athleta had enough players with experience oozing out of their pores, to keep enough control on the proceedings, and hold the Violets at bay, as the time was running out. The match ended up as a high scoring one, giving the good crowd present full value for their money, and holding out more promise for the next games to come.

The Luxol front duo, Deguara and Mchael Myers Keitt, netted a hoop each at the

 start. Athleta then began putting in their points, but Luxol still managed to extend their lead further, but at a cost. Deguara was foul hit, Chad Patus’ personal points took Athleta quite near. Then it was Patus again, and Steve Schembri with triples, in an 8-2 run, which catapulted Athleta ahead. Luxol ended the session on a top note, with an 8-0 run, and a late Myers Keitt triple, to lead 25-20. In the next period Nikola Vasovic extended Luxol’s advantage, but Athleta had enough up their sleeve, to counter their opponents. Luxol held out, with Adrian Micallef hoops, but then Athleta let loose, and a heavy 12-0 run, with Naudi points, and a Kristin Baldacchino trey, overturned the score. Deguara made up more points for the Violets, but there was always an Athleta reply, and at the interval it was Luxol trailing, on a 38-44 score.

After the break Athleta quickly obtained a double figure advantage. Luxol were hitting back, mainly through Deguara, but Naudi at first, and then a personal 7-0 run by Schembri, with a triple, had Luxol falling back rapidly. The game became more balanced again, but Athleta had a good lead to fall back on , with Shawn Pace netting another trey. With the last session remaining, Athleta were on a solid 73-56 advantage. Luxol had to do sometning quickly, and they started in earnest. Myers Keitt found his scoring touch once more, but to compensate Schembri put in more hoops for Athleta, although their lead began to dwindle. Luxol went under the double figure deficit, but they were stopped there by a resolute Athleta front, who refused to retreat further. Luxol just couldn’t get any nearer, and time ran out on them, with Athleta happy to play out the remaining seconds, and draw the first blood.

The second match is on Wednesday, difficult to predict, and with a promise of better things to come.

Luxol: CJ Cordina , M. Mercieca 7, A. Micallef 8, N. Andreevic , J. Willoughby ,

           JP Schembri 6, N. Vasovic 18, JP Bonnici , M. Myers Keitt 24,

           A. Micallef Trigona , S. Deguara 20, S. Cappello    

Athleta: M. Naudi 21, D. Bugeja 2, C. Patus27 , C. Galea , K. Baldacchino 5,

             O. Said 15, S. Pace 6,  W. Spiteri , S. Bischoff ,  S. Schembri 19

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, T. Helenius