Athleta A-Z Electronics 78
Royce Floriana 65
(14-14, 23-8, 20-24, 21-19)
Athleta profited from the injury suffered by Floriana’s foreign player Derek Elston towards the sixth minute of the second quarter to pull away from their opponents as they cruised to victory in this season’s MBA Shield final.
The Greens showed improvement from their last few outings even though pivot Dirk Schembri was far off his best in attack in the first two quarters. When he found some sort of consistency in his play, Athleta were already out of sight.
Floriana were the first team to click into gear as they opened a 7-2 lead. Athleta had a time-out and the mini-break did them a wealth of good as they finished the quarter 14-all with Floriana’s David Camilleri missing a sitter before the whistle blew.
Athleta nosed ahead as the second session got underway but Floriana were only a point behind,21-20, when Elston was forced to leave the court injured. He returned three minutes later but by that time Athleta were 30-20 ahead.
Floriana were unable to improve their build-up play and Athleta enjoyed a 15-point cushion, 37-22, at half-time.
At the start of the third quarter, the Greens nailed five points without reply but a series of erratic passes slowed their momentum, allowing Athleta to start the last 10 minutes 57-46 ahead.
Athleta practically made sure of victory when, with five minutes left, they held a commanding 71-50 lead.
Floriana pressed full court but Athleta exploited the gaps left in the Greens’ defence to claim the match and the trophy for the fourth year running.
Athleta: M. Naudi 23, B. Bartolo, D. Bugeja 9, C. Patus 25, C. Galea, M. Giusti, O. Said 14, S. Pace, D. Ross, K. Baldacchino, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 7.
Floriana: O. Shamala, D. Elston 26, D. Camilleri, P. Shoults 10, I. Borg 4, B. Zammit, C. Calleja 7, D. Schembri 16, D. Agius 2.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, C. Terribile.
Next fixtures (National League): Saturday – 16.30 Depiro vs Athleta. Sunday – 13.00 Siġġiewi vs Floriana, 16.30 Luxol vs Starlites.