Starlites GIG 68 Cynergi Depiro 74
(14-21, 14-21, 25-15, 15-17)
This match was to determine who grabs the last Play Off place. Depiro were always in front, until Starlites staged a late surge, to forge ahead, but Depiro regained their lead, and made sure with their free throws. Depiro lost a substantial advantage, and nearly paid the price, but it was rosy for them at the end. Starlites recovered Shawn pace, and Own Psiala took Nedeljco Ninkovic's place. Depiro had Kurt Xuereb back but were without Lene Duckinson and Josef Attard.
Depiro opened up well, to go 11-2 in front, as David Camilleri, twice, and Dominic Scafidi sank triples. Then it was Xuereb for them, as Mitchell Brewe led Starlites back in the match. His trey took Starlites close enough, but Depiro had Scafidi to net the session's last points. In the next period it was Depiro once more, as they dictated play. This time it was Andrew Aquilina, with a brace of triples, and Scafidi put in another one. Ian Felice Pace and Brewe also made treys for Starlites, but their side had fallen back, and were 28-42 behind, at the interval.
After the break Depiro again extended their advantage, and Scafidi added on another triple. When it seemed all over, Starlites began making their way back. A 12-0 run, with Brewe, Robert Bonnici and Pace points, the latter with his trey, saw Depiro's solid lead fleeced down. Aquilina netted a third trey, for Depiro, but Starlited ended the session with a 7-1 run, to draw closer, at 53-57. In the last quarter Aquilina managed another trey, but Depiro were not breathing easier, as Starlites replied well, with a 10-2 run, to tie the score. Xuereb put Depiro in front again, but Starlites were ahead, for the first time, in the last stages of the encounter. Camilleri nailed his third triple, to pout Depiro into another advantage, and this time they prevailed, with Starlites trying to stop the clock. Depiro made the necessary free shots, to claim their victory, which put them beyond Starlites' reach, assuring a place in the Play Offs.
Starlites: S. Pace 5, O. Psaila, , R. Bonnici 6, A. Schembri , M. Scerri, M. Falzon 4, A. Felice Pace 8, R. Carabott 4, I. Pace, I. Felice Pace 3, J. Wait, M. Brewe 38
Depiro: E. Briffa, D. Camilleri 13, A. Aquilina 16, N. Grech 2, A. Attard, M. Mallia 6, M. Borg, D. Scafidi 24
Referees: E. Mangani, T. Mantere, I. Simic
Hibs endure Luxol's frantic finish
Bupa Luxol 69 HIbernians 73
(12-19, 16-15, 14-18, 27-21)
The two sides were meeting for the ninth time, and more games are envisaged between these two rivals, this season, when they will match up once more, in the Play Off semi-finals. It was a pleasant match, even if the result was not that important, given that the standings were not going to be altered. Hibs held their advantage throughout the match, although they were run close at the end, with the game being decided in the last seconds, as Chad Patus ensured the Paolites' victory.
Hibs began with a brace of hoops, with the Violets replying in the same manner. Then it was triples for Hibs, in an 8-2 run, with Roderick Vella and Alvaro Lizaur netting long ones. Luxol were back, with a three-hoop spread, but Hibs ended the period with a 7-2 run, and another Lizaur trey. In the second session Luke Farrugia went on court and netted a Hibs triple. William Ahlberg sank his almost immediately, and Luxol went on with a 10-2 run, to within a hoop of their opponents. The Paolites answered with a 10-0 run, as Farrugia and Lizaur again sank triples. Luxol's reply had Ahlberg netting his second trey, but Hibs were still in front, at the interval, on a 34-28 score.
After the break, each time the Paolites made their points, Luxol were there, with their reactions. mainly from Kyle Meyer. Lizaur and Vella again sank Hibs triples, with Keith Dimech making his late in the period, as the Paolites led 52-42. The last session had Luxol staying close, with Meyer and Dimech hoops. Nikola vasovic sanka triple, as Luxol came within range. Hibs opened their lead again slightly, but Luxol were in earnest, and JP Schembri's trey, and Meyer's free shots had the Violets on level points. They again were on a par, after Hibs' fresh lead. In the last seconds it was left to Patus, who sank his hoop and converted a couple of free throws, to take the Paolites to their victory.
Luxol: CJ Cordina 9, N. Vasovic 13, J. Melillo, JP Schembri 5, K. Dimech 9, W. Ahlberg 7, K. Meyer 24, A. Micallef Trigona 2
Hibs: R. Vella 6, P. Attard 2, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 6, S. Attard, I. Bonett, L.Tardito, A. Axiaq 8, M. Matijevic12 , A. Lizaur 25, F. Mariani, C. Patus 14
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, I. Simic