Athleta A-Z’s dream dashed

The final of the BOV KO will be contested by the underdogs as Floriana Francesco Fenech and BUPA Luxol eliminated favourites Depiro Mtarfa and Athleta A-Z Electronics in the semi-finals, last weekend. The final is programmed for March 19.

Athleta A-Z Electronics 61
BUPA Luxol 65
(15-12, 13-21, 18-11, 15-21)

Athleta’s ambition of making a clean sweep of all major honours at stake this season was dealt a severe blow on Sunday when old-time rivals Luxol dumped them out of the KO.

Athleta played without Kristen Baldacchino and the team left much to be desired, particularly in their outside shooting. They also committed mistakes during the match that were rarely seen so far this season.

Luxol could have won this match much earlier but they were let down by poor shooting with Antoine Costa and Lee Ross the main culprits as Jeron Bilin potted half the winners’ points all by himself.

Athleta had their usual flying start but gradually Luxol started coming more into the picture and through fast breaks took the lead after scoring the first seven points of the second session – 19-15.

Athleta hit back strongly but allowed Luxol to change ends 33-28 in front after lowering their guard just before half-time.

Athleta were more determined after the interval and with Luxol’s shooting rate hitting a low, they opened a 44-35 lead and looked on their way to make the final.

But, a time-out helped Luxol to freshen up their ideas and, in fact, they started the last ten minutes a basket away – 46-44.

Athleta’s poor form from the free-throw line saw the team falling further behind. The last few minutes were riddled with mistakes but four consecutive free-throws from Bilin and Marco Mercieca saw Luxol through in the end.

Athleta: M. Naudi 19, D. Bugeja 7, A. Kakete 11, D. Schembri 8, M. Giusti, O. Said 7, I. Bulkatov. A. Bonnici 4, S. Schembri 5.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina, M. Mercieca 9, J. Bilin 32, A. Micallef Trigona, L. Ross 11, A. Costa, N. Vasovic 6, T. Paris, J.P. Bonnici 7, S. Capello.

Depiro Mtarfa 56
Floriana Francesco Fenech 57
(14-13, 12-14, 14-14, 16-16)

This semi-final was played on an even keel as none of the two contestants was good enough on the day to impose their play on their opponents. Depiro started favourites but Floriana did well to survive in a tense finale and clinch a place in the final against all odds.

Depiro sorely felt the absence of Abraham Portelli but that was no excuse for them to play so erratically at crucial times of the match. With the two Americans blotting each other out, Floriana playmaker Chris Sammut rose to the occasion to tilt the balance in his team’s favour.

Depiro won the first quarter and after Floriana took the lead at the start of the second session, Depiro potted seven consecutive points for a 21-15 lead. Depiro, however, lost their stride when they were forced to substitute captain Roderick Vella due to an injury and Floriana pounced on the occasion, a Brian Williams dunk putting them 27-26 in front at half-time.

Balance prevailed after the in-terval and although Depiro took a gamble on Vella, Floriana held tight to start the last ten minutes a point ahead – 41-40.

The semi-final steered into a tit-for-tat situation. In the last minute, Adrian Sultana’s free-throw put Floriana ahead.

Depiro had the chance to overturn the result but their last two attempts in the dying seconds bounced off the ring.

Depiro: R. Vella 10, J.P. Schembri, A. Aquilina 3, A. Micallef 12, M. Mallia, E. Lupo 2, I. Tanti 11, G. Hamlin 18.

Floriana: J. Curmi, N. Mercieca, C. Sammut 20, I. Mercieca 2, S. Sammut 7, C. Calleja, A. Baldacchino 9, B. Williams 18, A. Sultana 1, M. Ciantar.

National League
January 7, 15.30: Loyola vs Luxol.
January 8, 14.45: Athleta vs Floriana; 16.30 Siġġiewi vs Depiro.