Depiro     99     Starlites GIG     108

(25-25, 23-29, 32-21, 19-33)

It was a nail-biting match, in which both sides managed to stay close to each other, until Depiro opened an advantage, early on, in the last quarter, only for Starlites to turn the tables, and breeze past their opponents, and also pass the century mark. Depiro just failed to mark a hundred-point score. Depiro had skipper, Amdrew Aquilina, in his first match of the season, and also included Reuben Xuereb. Brothers, Alec and Ian Felice Pace played their first match, after missing the Independence Cup matches, being abroad. Starlites have American, Keshaun Hamilton, waiting for the November transfer window. Starlites have released Canadian, Brandon Biblija, and American, Cameron Ward, played in his stead. Serbian, Nenad Stojanski, and new arrival, American, Joe Tagarelli, are also waiting for the next transfer window.

The game points started pouring in from the start, with Depiro with the first lead, and Starlites replying with a 10-0 run. Depiro's Omar Said sank a triple, with American, Jordan Stotts, also netting a trey, at the other end. Starlites' lead was wiped out, as Depiro ended the period with a 10-2 run, finishing with an Omar said triple. In the next session play alternated, as the lead began to change hands. Aquilina grabbed a trey, for depiro, but Starlites had Alex felice Pace, Ward, Robert Bonnici, twice, and Nick Formosa, all sinking treys. Depiro struck back, with American, Trent Steen, points, but it was Starlites ahead, at the interval, on a 54-48 score.

After the break Depiro did not take long to forge ahead, with an early 12-3, as Aquilina sank a second trey, with Felice Pace doing likewise, for Starlites. The latter side were again in front, with depiro chasing hard. Ryan Carabott grabbed a Starlites trey, but Slovakian, Adam Chomo, hoops had Depiro level, and then another Aquilina trey helped his side to end the period 80-75 ahead. In the last session Depiro went in front, on double figures, but it was only a prelude to Starlites' thrust forward, as they went past their adversaries, on a solid 22-5 runthrough more Stotts points, and another Ward triple. Depiro bounced back, with a fourth Aquilina trey, but Starlites ended all of Depiro's hopes, with a late 7-0 run, and a third ward trey, surpassing the century mark. Depiro were left with little time and had to concede defeat.

Depiro: J. Attard, R. Xuereb , D. Farrugia 2, A. Attard, A. Aquilina 20, N. Grech, O. Said 16, A. Chomo 30, E. Briffa, M. Borg, T. Steen 31

Starlites: O. Psaila , M. Azzopardi , R. Bonnici 10, I. Felice Pace, C. Ward 33, M. Falzon 2, A. Felice Pace 15, R. Carabott 7, M. Scerri, N. Formosa 20, J. Stotts21

Referees: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef, I. Simic

 

Paolites in comfortable victory

Hibernians     93     MSC Balkan Fusion     70

(23-6, 25-16, 22-20, 23-28)

The champions were too good for the Balkan outfit, who sported new faces in their line-up. A dominant opening session had the Paolites able to include their local talent more, and they responded well, to help their side increase their advantage. After the break play was more balanced, but Hibs' advantage was still there, and they romped to their victory. The champions still had Italian, Luca Tardito, and skipper, Marco Matijevic, injured, and Serbian, Ivan Demcesan, awaits the November transfer window. Balkan had Ivan Kumric and Nikola Kovacevic missing, with Nikola Mitic playing for teh first time, and Nenad Bukva and Bogdan Mrkojevic, were back from last season's side.

Hibs took the game in hand from the start and hit Balkan with a rush of points. as Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur, twice, and Canadian, Chad Cuschieri Patus sank triple, with Patus putting in more points. Nikola Andrejevic replied for Balkan, with two late hoops. In the next session Hibs increased their advantage and started to introduce their local youngsters. Balkan still felt the pressure, as Paul Attard netted a brace of treys, with Isaac Bonett and Kurt Sultana adding theirs. Balkan ended teh period on a small 7-0 run, with a Mrkojevic triple, but the champions were way in front, on a 48-22 score.

After the break there was no shortage of points, at either end. Lizaur and Cuschieri Patus added their triples, with Andrejevic grabbing one for Balkan. Roderick Vella managed a trey for the Paolites, and Mitic ended the session with his points, as the score escalated to 70-42. The last quarter was still an open one. Luke Farrugia sank a Hibs triple, as his side opened their advantage once more. Balkan were more in the picture, in the latter part of the period, with Andrejevic netting a second trey. Hibs answered back, with another Attard triple, and balkan put an end to the match with a three-basket spread, and more Bozovic hoops.

Hibs: R. Vella 6, P. Attard 13, K. Sultana 10, L. Farrugia 3, M. Formosa 12, I. Bonett 12, A. Axiaq 3, A. Lizaur 17, C. Cuschieri Patus 17    

Balkan: N. Andrejevic 18, N. Bozovic 16, P. Walk 16, A. Schembri 2, N. Mitic 6, S. Todorovic 1, N. Bukva, B. Mrkojevic 11

Referees: T. Mantere, N. Azzopardi, K. Dworniczak