Gzira Athleta     78     Starlites GIG     61          

(19-9, 16-8, 16-15, 27-29)

Athleta will remain at the top of the standings, before the start of the Paly Offs, but they have yet to know who their opponents are going to be. They made it three league wins in three matches, against Starlites, although the latter side had managed to beat them in a Shield match, earlier on. Athleta were without Michael Nausi and Billy Zammit, and introduced their new Estonian player, Kevin Liivamagi, but we have yet to see him play, as he remained on the bench. Starlites were missing Shawn pace, but Miguel Falzon was back, and their former coach, Nedeljco Ninkovic, is now a new player.

Athleta made the opening points, and an Ivan Mitrovic trey, but Robert Bonnici replied for Starlitestaking them to a point behind. Athleta took over again, to post a long 12-3, run, till the end of the periodas Mitrovic sank another triple, to go clear in front. In the next session Starlites crawled back, despite a brace of hoops, from Athleta's Matthew Gouder, with Mirchell Brewe points, but there was another repeat, with Athleta taking command again, and making up another 12-2 run. Jon Feiler hoisted his personal tally, to take Athleta to a 35-17 advantage, at the interval.

After the break Athleta found stiffer opposition, as SStarlites shared the play. They were still at a distance, but Athleta were unable to advance further in their leadMitrovic nailed another trey for Athleta, and with a last quarter to go, Starlites were trailing 32-51. The game opened up, with a glut of points at either end. Starlites started well enough, to whittle down their deficit, with a healthy 17-4 run, as Bonnici kept up his good work. Athleta began to pick points once more, and Nathan Xuereb made a triple, as their bench players took to the court. Bonnici sank a third Starlites trey, with Athleta converting their free throws, in the closing stages of the match, to draw away once more, and obtain a better winning margin.

Athleta: K. Liivamagi, P. Shoults 8, L. Stefanovic, F. Mifsud Bonnici 10, O. Said 10, M. Gouder 9, N. Xuereb 7, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 9, J. Feiler 25

Starlites: N. Ninkovic 3,  R. Bonnici 15, A. Schembri 3, M. Scerri, M. Falzon 2, A. Felice Pace 8, R. Carabott 4, I. Pace, I. Felice Pace 3, J. Wait , M. Brewe 24

Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, Z. Dobrosavljevic

 

Cynergi Depiro     77     Bupa Luxol     96

 (25-22, 13-27, 17-20, 22-27)

In a match, held over, from the previous day, after Depiro's request, to play on Monday, Luxol removed any doubts about their third position in the standings, and also avenged their falter, in the second round of play, against the same Depiro. The latter side now have a crunch match, next Sunday, against Starlites, as to who of them will pass into the Play Offs. Luxol also won the triples affair, as William Ahlberg alone, equalled Depiro's total for the game. Depiro recovered David Camilleri, but Kurt Xuereb was indisposed for them. Luxol's absentee was Michael Sjoberg.

Depiro swept in front, at the start, on a 9-2 score, as Andrew Aquilina sank a trey. Dominic Scafidi and Camilleri also netted treys, for Depiro, as they held on to their lead. A 7-2 run pulled the Violets nearer, with both sides then making a brace of treys, with Camilleri and Scafidi, again, for Depiro, and Keith Dimech and Ahlberg for Luxol. In the next session Luxol's triples were tumbling in. They nailed a total of eight of them, with Ahlberg bagging four, and others from Vasovic, Dimech, Kyle Meyer and JP Schembri. Aquilina sank a Depiro trey, but his side had fallen 39-49 behind, at the interval.

After the break the points were still not lacking, at either end. Luxol had Meyer in foul trouble, but managed to keep their lead intact, as Vasovic and Ahlberg netted more triples. Scafidi also kept piling up his points for Depiro, but they couldn't get any nearer, and were trailing 55-69, going into the last quarter. Camilleri managed another couple of treys, for Depiro, with Ahlberg popping another one in for the Violets. With Meyer on the bench, Depiro came forward, to cut down on their deficit. Luxol's fast beaks held them back, as CJ Cordina sank a trey, and began a long 14-2 run, which scuttled all Depiro's hopes of a recovery. Ahlberg capped a fine shooting performance, with his last trey, late in the match.

Depiro: E. Briffa, D. Camilleri 16, L. Duckinson, A. Aquilina 6, N. Grech 7, A. Attard, M. Mallia, J. Attard, M. Borg 13, D. Scafidi 35

Luxol: CJ Cordina 13, N. Vasovic20 , J. Melillo,  JP Schembri 10, K. Dimech 14, W. Ahlberg 32, K. Meyer 7

Referees: E. Mangani, N. Azzopardi, Z. Dobrosavljevic