Hibernians 103 Starlites GIG 88
(31-17, 22-21, 26-18, 24-32)
This important encounter went decisively Hibs' way, as they disposed of the Starlites challenge, to go just behind the league leaders, Athleta, but with a match less, against Luxol. Starlites are a point behind, to see if they are going to match up against Athleta in the Play Off semis. The only notable absentee for this match was Starlites' American, Andrew Sears.
Starlites obtained the opening leads, as American, Jordan Stotts, sank a triple. Another American, William Darley, regained their advantage, with another trey, but then it was the Paolites putting in their long ones. Roderick Vella began with his, followed by the Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur. American, Cameron Ward, did make another Starlites trey, but Canadian, Chad Cuschieri Patus was hot, and he rammed in three more triples, in a good 17-2 run, as the champions drew away from their opponents, till the end of the period. In the next session Starlites were more concentrated at first, to narrow the gap, with an 8-2 run, before being stopped by Italian, Luca Tardito, and also Vella free shots. Starlites were left with points to make up, but the Paolites were equal to the occasion, and Luke Farrugia and Cuschieri Patus netted triples. Darley pulled a trey back for Starlites, but the champions could enjoy a healthy53-38 advantage at the interval.
After the break although Starlites had Alec Felice Pace with a triple, it was the Paolites extending their lead, with an 8-0 run, as Lizaur and Vella sank treys. Starlites tried hard, and managed three more triples, till the end of the period, from Darley, Felice Pace and Ward, but Serbian, Ivan Demcesen, went on court for the champions, and his imposing presence in the paint brought about a glut of buckets, as Hibs started the last session on a solid 79-56 advantage. Hibs were still increasing their lead, with another Lizaur triple, but then the match became a more balanced one, as Hibs were quite content to hold on to their advantage. Starlites did put in half a dozen more treys, with doubles from Darley, Nick Formosa and Stotts, but the champions were still way ahead, as they reached the century mark, with a Cuschieri Patus free shot. Hibs need another victory, in their last match, to overtake Athleta, and claim top spot, at the end of the group games. Starlites will be interested spectators, to see how all this ends up.
Hibs: R. Vella 14, P. Attard 4, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 5, M. Formosa, I. Bonett, L. Tardito 18, A. Axiaq 8, M. Matijevic, A. Lizaur 16, I. Demcesen 14, C. Cuschieri Patus 24
Starlites: A. Felice Pace 14, N. Formosa 8, R. Bonnici, I. Felice Pace, C. Ward 15, M. Falzon, M. Scerri, R. Carabott, W. Darley 29, J. Stotts 21
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, Z. Dobrosavljevic
Balkan Fusion 00 Floriana MCP Car Parks 20
Floriana were awarded a walk over, when the Balkans presented a team of four players for the match, when five players are needed to start a match. This is the second walk over given by the Balkans, in their last three games, and they have an outstanding match against Athleta, to complete their group fixtures.