Bupa Luxol     71     Starlites GIG     94

(22-20, 21-22, 12-34, 16-18)

The two sides were meeting for the first time, this season. Both were missing players, as the Violets had Dirk Schembri and Marco Mercieca absent, whilst American, Cameron Ward, was back in the United States, for his sister's wedding. Luxol overcame their opponents' first advantage, and shot ahead, only for Starlites to regroup, and shock their adversaries, as they dominated after the interval. Luxol fell too far behind, to make up the leeway, in the time remaining.

Luxol twice replied to Starlites' opening hoops, but the latter side had Alec Felice Pace, in superb form, with a brace of triples, in a 10-0 run. Here the Violets made up a splendid return, netting a total of six treys in succession, to forge ahead, through a trio from Swedish, Willie Ahlberg, and others by Serbian, Vukasin Jandric, CJ Cordina and Keith Dimech, even if American, Jordan Stotts was putting in his points for Starlites. In the next period Luxol were still on form, and a 9-2 run, beginning with another Jandric triple, extended their lead. Starlites picked themselves up, and proceeded to pull themselves back in the match, cutting down on their deficit. Luxol's Cordina sank another trey, but Starlites went past, with a four-hoop burst. Still the Violets ended the session in front, with a third Jandric trey, for a slim 43-42 advantage.

After the break Starlites went level, with a Stotts triple. Luxol regained their lead, but Starlites were in full cry, as they pierced their opponents' defence at will, with a 14-2 run, as Robert Bonnici made a triple. Starlites did not let up, and they ended the period on another 12-1 run with a second Bonnici, and third Felice Pace triple. Luxol found themselves floundering, at 55-76 down. In the last quarter JP Schembri also netted a Luxol trey, but Nick Formosa was on hand, for Starlites, with a couple of hoops, in an 8-0 run. The match was practically over, as Luxol made a last effort, with Dimech and Jandric points, the former also with a trey. Starlites still had Bonnici and Stotts getting more triples, as they finished very comfortable winners, to go into their second Shield final, which they had won, in 2014.

Luxol: CJ Cordina 10, V. Jandric 24, L. Caruana Montaldo, JP Schembri 5, K. Dimech 12, W. Ahlberg 18, P. Engelbert, S. Cappello 2

Starlites: O. Psaila , R. Bonnici 13, I. Felice Pace , M. Falzon, A. Felice Pace 19, R. Carabott 6, M. Scerri , N. Formosa 16, J. Stotts 40

Referees: N. Azzopardi, C. Xuereb, I. Simic

 

Hibernians     88     Gzira Athleta     72

(18-18, 23-12, 23-19, 24-23)

The champions, with a Super Cup success behind them, now go into their second final of the season, after they gradually overcame their adversaries' efforts, to open up a winning margin, in the last session of the encounter. Hibs' experienced trio, of Serbian, Marco Matijevic, Spanish, Alvaro Lizaur and Canadian, Chad Cuschieri Patus, were too much for Athleta, who fielded a seven-man squad, and now await the new players coming in the transfer open window, as do the other teams. The final, between Starlites and Hibs, will be a different affair, now that more foreigners will be coming in.

It was Athleta with the brighter start, making up a 9-3 run, with a Matthew Gouder trey and Nathan Xuereb hoops. Lizaur sank a Hibs triple also. Athleta stayed ahead, with american, Kwamw Thompson hoops, but the Paolites went on level terms, fell behind once more, but Pushed ahead, only for Athleta to draw level, before the end of the period, with a Xuereb trey. The second session saw the lead changing hands twice more, before Hibs began to draw away, as the trio struck from close range, and Cuschieri patus also made a triple. Xuereb netted another Athleta trey, but his side had fallen behind, and further points, by Matijevic, had the champions 41-30 in front, at the interval.

After the break Athleta tried to creep back in the match, but their points always had a reply from Hibs, as Lizaur made a second triple. The Paolites' advantage grew further, in the late stages of the period, as Lizaur amde a personal 11-3 run, with two more treys, and free throws, and Ivan Mitrovic making his sole points, with a trey, for Athleta. The score went to 64-49. In the last session Athleta began well, as Luca Stefanovic went on court, and he quickly sank a brace of triples. Athleta went near, harbouring thoughts of a comeback, but these were quickly dispelled, as the champions regained their form, Cuschieri Patus made his points, and Roderick Vella put in a triple. There was little time left, as Xuereb netted his third trey, for Athleta, and Thompson made more points, but Hibs had Cuschieri Patus with another trey, and Matijevic to seal up the game, with his last hoops. Hibs will defend the Shield, won last season, against Starlites, next Sunday.

Hibs: R. Vella 3, P. Attard, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 8, M. Formosa, I. Bonett 2, A. Axiaq 5, M. Matijevic 20, A. Lizaur 24, C. Cuschieri Patus 26

Athleta: P. Shoults, L. Stefanovic 8, A. Perunicic 6, N. Xuereb 17, M. Gouder 11, K. Thompson 27, I. Mitrovic 3

Referees: B. Vassallo, Z. Dobrosavljevic, D. Torok