Gzira Athleta    73    Starlites GIG    87

(9-22, 18-26, 22-21, 24-18)

Athleta never really recovered, after they were left behind until the interval. Although they retaliated in spurts, they didn't get near enough, and Starlites could control the match without any difficulty. Athleta, this second-tier champions, for the last two seasons, haven't yet found a remedy, to be more competitive, despite adding a foreign player in every game they played. On the other hand, the Starlites youngsters play with verve and ambition, and really enjoy their matches. Athleta were a changed side, from their last match. They had their Macedonian, Nikola Zdvaveski, missing, along with Luca Stefanovic, who is now concentrating on the A team, but Serbian, Alex Novakovic, and Italian, Nicolo Guida, returned, and there was another new face on the bench, although he remained there, a Lithuanian, Kanolis Vitonis. Starlites had Miguel Falzon back in the second team, and he played a blinder, with bench players, Miguel palmier and Finlay Spencer absent.

Starlites were eager from the start, making up a 10-1 beginning, as Quentin Bugeja and Miguel Falzon sank treys. Athleta answered back, as Italian, Ivan Cascione, netted a triple, but the rest of the session belonged to Starlites, as they made up a 12-1 run, with a Miguel Fabri trey, to forge well ahead. In the next period, Starlites went on, with another 10-0 run, as Falzon and Fabri made more treys. Athleta now had some distance to make up, with Novakovic helping them on, but Starlites came up with more treys, with a brace from Falzon, and another by Fabri. Athleta managed a 10-0 run, from Novakovic and the Italian, Nadir Serafini, with Starlites ending the session with another trey, from Mirco Azzopardi, to lead handsomely, 48-27, at the interval.

After the break, the points were still coming, but were fairly shared out. Cascione sank another Athleta trey, with Bugeja doing the same, at the other end. Late in the quarter, Athleta grabbed some consecutive points, but Fabri put in a further Starlites triple, and his side were still in command, on a 69-49 score. The last session was still evenly balanced, points-wise, with Starlites reacting to every Athleta hoop. Edward Sciberras struck with two late Athleta triples, but Bugeja sneaked in one for Starlites, in between. Hubert Agius ended the match, with his points for Athleta, but there was still a large deficit for his side, with Starlites in command.

Athleta: I. Cascione 16, E. Abela 1, E. Sciberras 6, N. Guida 12, A. Kechiagas 2, H. Agius 6, K. Vitonos , A. Novakovic 19, N. Buhagiar 4, N. Serafini 5, J. Ransley 2, R. Abela

Starlites: M. Barbara 2, M. Azzopardi 18, L. Riolo , M. Fabri 20, N. Sultana, M. Falzon 28, A. Vella , Q. Bugeja 15, A. Xuereb 4, B. Stankovic

Referees:Z. Dobrosavljevic, D. Torok

 

Fusion B'ball    87    Hibernians    83  

 (12-26, 24-17, 19-22, 32-18)

It was an interesting game, with Fusion making their customary slow start, with a six-man side. The Paolites took the opportunity to open up a solid advantage, but Fusion clawed points back till the interval. Hibs were still ahead at the start of the last session, but Fusion were not to be denied, having Nikola Bozovic on top form, since the start of the season. His spate of free shots, in the last stages of the match, handed Fusion their victory, even if Hibs managed to tie the score at one time. Fusion were without the Mitic brothers, Stefan and Nikola, along with Nemanya Mihailovic and the Italian, Enrico Lanzi, but Spaniard, David Garcia, returned. Hibs had a couple of bench players missing, but young Neil Cassar made an appearance.

The match began with a burst of triples, with Luke Farrugia nad twice Kieron Caruana, for the Paolites, and Nebojsa Komienic in between, for Fusion. Paul Attard also netted a Hibs trey, as his side established a good lead. Bozovic pulled hoops back for Fusion, but Isaac Bonett also nailed a trey for the Paolites, as they kept their opponents on a steady deficit. Bozovic was still putting in buckets for Fusion, in the next period, but Hibs were making points of their own. Nebojsa Komienic sank a Fusion triple, but later on, it was Matthew Attard making his for Hibs, although their advantage had gone down to a 43-36 score, at the interval.

After the break Fusion were still hovering near, with the Paolites keeping them at arms' length. Attard sank a second trey for Hibs, but Fusion were back, as Komienic made more hoops. Late in the session, Caruana nailed two quick treys, for Hibs, with Fusion having Janko Jovancevic also making a triple, to take his side to a 55-65 deficit. Hibs opened their lead once more, through Bonett hoops, but Fusion persisted and made up a 12-1 run. to advance to three points down. Hibs kept them away, until Bozovic had his side level, on 75-75. Although the Paolites were again ahead, there was Bozovic once more, with a spate of free throws, as he was fouled under the board. Fusion were in front, for the first time. late in the match, but Hibs recovered, to tie the score. Bozovic pushed Fusion to another lead, and when Hibs wasted a last possession, they were punished by a Komienic bucket, which ensured Fusion's victory.

Fusion: N. Bozovic 44, D. Garcia 7, N. Komienic 14, N. Zivkovic 3, J. Jovancevic 3, I. Marjanovic 16

Hibs: P. Attard 10, M. Formosa, L. Farrugia 8, N. Cassar 1, I. Bonett 18, K. Caruana 25, R. Aquilina, M. Attard 11, K. Sultana 10

Referees: K. Dworniczak, L. Camilleri