Starlites GIG     71     Hibernians     91

Agg.  167-197

(25-24, 15-18, 6-29, 25-20)

The Paolites swept aside the aggregate issue, by beating their opponents also in the return match. Starlites threatened briefly in the first two sessions of play, but when Hibs' triples fell in, and they took a minimal interval lead, Starlites fell apart after the break. The Paolites surged decisively forward, to make the game safe, before the start of the last quarter. Hibs could then put in their bench players, who responded by grabbing points. Hibs are faring well against their adversaries this season, having beaten them on four occasions, in as many matches.

Starlites' early hoops were neutralised by the Paolites, who forged in front. Their American, Chandler Rowe, played his best match yet for them, this season, ending up as the game's top scorer. Starlites managed to grab a single-digit advantage before the end of the period. In the next session, Starlites improved their lead slightly. Still, towards the last stages, before the interval, Hibs struck with their triples, to deny Alec Felice Pace, who spearheaded Starlites' attack, as he also netted a trey. The Paolites had Rowe with a brace of long ones, along with others, from Isaac Bonett and David Bugeja, again being Hibs' ball handler. Halfway through the encounter, Hibs had taken a small lead on a 42-40 score.

After the break, Starlites were hit badly, as the Paolites took control. Rowe kept up his good work, and Nikola Vasovic and Luke Farrugia sank triples, as their side put in12-0 and 9-0  runs. Starlites were limited to just six points and fell rapidly behind. At the start of the last quarter, Hibs were home and dry, on a 71-46 score, along with their first game lead. Matthew Scerri nailed two quick treys for Starlites, but again Hibs began to put in their points until new faces went on court. Starlites took the opportunity to hike up their score, and American, Konor5 Kulas, struck with two of his own treys. A late surge had Hubs ending the match on a good note, as Vasovic sank a second triple.

Starlites: A. Felice Pace 17, R. Bonnici 6, I. Felice Pace 7, M. Fabri 4, M. Falzon 2, M. Scerri 10, R. Carabott ,  K. Kulas 21, J. Marseille 4

Hibs: P. Attard , D. Bugeja 8, K. Caruana 2, L. Farrugia 4,  I. Bonett 5, N. Vasovic 16, A. Axiaq 4, M. Matijevic 7, M. Attard  3, C. Rowe 25,  I. Demcesen 17

Referees: G. Barbara, I. Simic, D. Torok

 

 Depiro     90     Luxol     83

Agg. 185-174

(19-28, 24-11, 23-15, 24-29)

Depiro made it to the semis, with their second victory over the Violets, but Luxol wiped out their small, first game deficit early in the match, and even went in front, on aggregate. Depiro stuck to their task and kept in touch, and after the interval they swept aside Luxol's opposition, to open up a commanding advantage. The game was over for the Violets, who had Keith Dimech making up a season-high score, but to no avail for his side. Depiro's American, Quinn Cooper, ended up with another good tally, but Luxol's Serbian, Vukasin Jandric, was foul hit, and spent time on the bench, in the last session.

Depiro were again without Michael Naudi, and Luxol had Stefan Cappello back from suspension but did not take part, to safeguard his facial injury.

Luxol opened up well, and went ahead on aggregate, as Dimech sank an early trey. So did Depiro's Cooper. Luxol stayed ahead till the end of the period, as Jandric also netted a trey. Depiro had Kurt Xuereb and Nicholas Grech with triples, but were still behind, even on aggregate. The second session had Luxol enhancing their score, as Jandric made another trey, but Depiro went through a positive patch, making up a long 16-2 run, as Cooper kept on making points. Luxol had to chase once more, and at the interval, it was Depiro ahead. On a 43-39 score.

After the break were unable to make up the small leeway, and Depiro increased their lead, with Omar said sinking a triple. The Violets went close again, and Francesco Mifsud Bonnici made a trey, but further points from Depiro, in a late 11-3 run, had them 66-54 in front and cruising. Matthew Borg opened the last session with a Depiro triple, followed by Luxol's JP Schembri, in his only trey for the day, for Luxol. Luxol were still on a double-digit deficit, as Juan Cefai also netted a trey. Depiro settled the match with a 9-2 run, as Czech, Adam Chomo, made his hoops, Luxol fell way behind, and only managed to get nearer with a late 8-0 run, and a brace of Dimech triples, but time had run out on them.

Depiro: M. Todorovic 14, Q. Cooper 28, D. Farrugia 9, N. Grech 6, O. Said 6, K. Xuereb 9, M. Borg 5, J. Attard , A. Chomo 12, A. Attard 1

Luxol: J. Cefai 7, V. Jandric 22, P. Engelbert, E. Caruana Montaldo, F. Mifsud Bonnici 11, JP Schembri 3, K. Dimech 38, I. Pace, L. Trapani, S. Opojevlic 2, K. Gauci, S. Cappello

Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, V. Nikolic