Athleta Compleet IS 66
BUPA Luxol 61
(21-15, 12-14, 20-4, 13-28)
Athleta appeared to be coasting to the final as they enjoyed a handsome lead ahead of the final quarter but Luxol staged a strong rally. Had Luxol not fluffed two easy baskets, they would have increased the pressure on their rivals.
Luxol ultimately paid dearly for their disastrous third-session performance.
Athleta had the better start as they chalked up the first six points. Gradually, Luxol improved but Athleta, with Michael Naudi in splendid form, preserved their lead by the end of the first quarter, 21-15, as their opponents looked weak underneath the boards.
Luxol disrupted Athleta's rhythm as the second quarter ticked off. By the fifth minute, Luxol had overturned their early deficit, 29-25.
Athleta coach Joe Galea called a time-out and this had the desired effect as Luxol failed to add another point until half-time. Taking advantage of Luxol's tendency to go for individual moves, Athleta nailed two consecutive three-pointers to head for half-time 33-29 in front.
The third quarter was one to forget for Luxol as they could not make inroads into Athleta's defence while Michael Naudi and Addison Bonnici piled up the points at the other end. Athleta had a comfortable 53-33 advantage for the final 10 minutes.
The game seemed as good as over but Luxol had other ideas. With Steve Schembri finding his three-point range, they gradually clawed their way back as Athleta's top-scorers seemed to tire out.
Robert Azzopardi and Dirk Schembri missed easy baskets which momentarily halted Luxol's comeback but with less than two minutes left, the latter were only a basket behind, 62-60.
Luxol's hopes evaporated when Cameron Doughty potted a three-pointer.
Athleta: M. Naudi 33, C. Doughty 5, E. Bezzina 4, M. Giusti, C. Galea, O. Said 2, C. Calleja 5, A. Bonnici 13, J. Zammit, S. Cassar 4.
Luxol: M. Mercieca 2, R. Azzopardi 6, A. Borg, A. Portelli, N. Vasovic, T. Paris, D. Schembri 13, J.P. Bonnici 14 ,S. Schembri 26.
Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile.
Depiro Mtarfa 78
Loyola St James Hospital 51
(25-13, 20-11, 8-10, 25-17)
Depiro recovered from their midweek league upset to Luxol, which dashed their hopes of playing in the Championship Pool, by brushing aside Loyola to reach the final of the BOV Knock-Out.
After an encouraging start to the season, Loyola have struggled for form lately. In the opening minutes of yesterday's semi-final, Loyola looked like a demoralised lot.
An 11-2 break after the fifth minute paved the way for Depiro's victory.
Leading 25-13 at the end of the first quarter, Depiro, with Marco Arsovski finding his shooting touch, continued to dominate to change ends 45-24 ahead.
Though Depiro failed to maintain their early tempo in the third quarter, Loyola failed to take advantage. Depiro started the last 10 minutes 53-34 to the good.
With Loyola failing to pick up the pieces, Depiro's place in the final was never in doubt.
Depiro: R. Vella 14, J. P. Schembri, D. Bugeja 2, M. Arsovski 31, A. Aquilina 5, J. Gatt 2, E. Lupo 18, M. Mallia 6, I. Tanti, D. Agius.
Loyola: B. Zammit 7, D. Camilleri 11, C. Cassar, G. Cuschieri 2, N. Sultana 13, A. Axiaq 2, G. Mihalovic 8, K. Baldacchino 6, S. Borg, M. Cilia 2.
Referees: J.P. Sammut, S. Micallef, C. Terribile.
Next fixtures: National League - Saturday, 16.15 Athleta vs BUPA Luxol. Sunday, 16.15 Depiro vs Loyola.