Athleta A to Z Electronics and Royce Floriana will contest the final of the St James Hospital Shield after ousting BUPA Luxol and Starlites in the semi-finals.

Athleta proved too strong for rivals Luxol in their St James Hospital Shield semi-final on Sunday. Photo: Chris Sant FournierAthleta proved too strong for rivals Luxol in their St James Hospital Shield semi-final on Sunday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Athleta A To Z Electronics 80
Bupa Luxol 51

(20-10, 13-8, 24-13, 23-20)

Athleta maintained their early-season form after overwhelming rivals Luxol to book their place in the final of the Shield.

With captain Michael Naudi and Omar Said leading the way for Athleta, Luxol’s hopes rested on American Michael Meyers Keitt but he received little support from his struggling team-mates.

Luxol led briefly in the opening minutes but after that Athleta were in control.

They recovered from a basket behind, 4-2, to end the first quarter 20-10 in front.

Luxol upped their game as the second session got underway. After reducing the gap to seven points, 25-18, Luxol were unable to withstand Athleta’s strong reaction as the latter scored the last eight points of the quarter to change ends 33-18 ahead.

Athleta easily controlled Luxol’s feeble efforts after the interval to all but seal their win as they started the last session 57-31 ahead.

Luxol tried to narrow the deficit but Athleta were untroubled.

Athleta: M. Naudi 26, M. Soufin, D. Bugeja 2, C. Patus 12, M. Giusti, W. Spiteri, O. Said 21, S. Pace 2, B. Bartoli 2, D. Ross 2, S. Schembri 13.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 4, M. Mercieca 8, A. Micallef 4, C. Cassar, A. Micallef Trigona, J.P. Schembri, N. Vasovic 8, T. Paris, M. Meyers Keitt 27, J. Willoughby, J.P. Bonnici, S. Capello.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, S. Micallef.

Royce Floriana 79
Starlites 58

(18-15, 27-12, 15-16, 19-15)

Floriana took advantage of the inexperience of the young Starlites players at the top level to advance to the final.

Starlites managed to stay in touch until the end of the first quarter but found it hard to deal with Floriana’s increased pressure.

Their inability to retain possession allowed Floriana to launch a series of fast breaks which put them on velvet.

The first quarter was balanced with Starlites initially responding well to Floriana’s attempt at pulling away.

Marco Todorovic’s power underneath the board and long-distance shots allowed Starlites to keep the pace with Floriana as they only trailed 18-15 at the end of the first session.

Starlites could not have had a better start to the second quarter as they struck the first seven points to lead 22-18.

Floriana came through this difficult moment. Applying constant pressure when Starlites were in possession, the Greens managed to recover innumerable balls and fast breaks helped them to change ends 45-27 ahead.

After the third minute of the third quarter, Starlites enjoyed a good run which saw them close the gap to 56-43.

Once again Floriana’s press jolted Starlites as the champions moved 73-51 ahead with five minutes left.

The game was now won and lost with Floriana preserving their advantage until the final whistle.

Floriana: O. Shamala, D. Elston 33, D. Camilleri 10, P. Shoults 8, S. Borg 6, C. Calleja 1, D. Schembri 17, S. Saakian 2, S. Dolfin Schin 2, D. Agius.

Starlites: M. Todorovic 20, R. Loporto 9, R. Bonnici 12, S. Bonnici 13, J. Curmi, G. Coleiro, M. Vassallo, G. Szokery, B. Soler, A. Schembri 2, A. Cutajar 2.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, S. Gouder.

Honey Athleta, Pavi Depiro to contest women’s final

Honey Athleta had the better of Caffe Moak Luxol in a tense finish to set up a final clash with Pavi Depiro. The latter defeated Starlites Sports Experience in the other semi-final.

As expected, the semi-final between Athleta and Luxol turned out to be an exciting affair, especially in the last quarter when Luxol increased their efforts and could have forced extra-time had they shown more composure in the closing seconds.

Ruth Spiteri’s girls found their rhythm after the opening minutes to go 13-6 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

With Luxol in difficulty, Athleta remained on top to stretch their lead to 19-6. Luxol’s improvement was not enough as Athleta changed ends 34-18 ahead.

After a balanced third quarter, Luxol’s pressure started to pay off in the last four minutes.

Athleta lost their momentum and, with seconds left, Luxol’s Patricia Bright missed from underneath the board and Greta Costa hurried her shot which could have sent the game into extra-time.

Athleta survived for a 55-52 victory.

Depiro’s place in the final was never in doubt. Once they took the lead, they never looked back, holding off Starlites’ efforts before easing to victory.

Nine consecutive points helped Depiro to lead 19-7 at the end of the first quarter. The second session was more balanced with Depiro changing ends 32-22 ahead

Depiro were more determined after the break, running out 62-46 winners.

Next fixtures
BOV League (men): Saturday 16.30 Floriana vs Starlites. Sunday 12.00 Depiro vs Siġġiewi; 14.45 Luxol vs Athleta.
BOV League (women): Friday 20.00 Depiro vs Starlites. Saturday 14.45 Phoenix vs Hibs. Sunday 11.15 Athleta vs Luxol

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