Athleta’s Michael Naudi defends possession against Luxol. Photo: Jason Borg

Athleta A-Z Electronics 91
BUPA Luxol 78

(25-28, 15-13, 21-22, 30-15)

Athleta opened a 13-point lead ahead of tomorrow’s second leg to determine the 2014 men’s Louis Borg Cup winners.

Luxol were poor in defence as Athleta, who already claimed the MBA Shield, KO and Super Cup this season, turned the ball around efficiently before freeing one of their shooters in this high-scoring match.

Athleta are renowned for their organised and fast-moving defence and in the end not even the presence of the towering Samuel Deguara could help Luxol avoid defeat as team-mate Matthew Myers Keitt was also below par for most of the match.

Michael Naudi, the Athleta captain, had another fine performance, winning innumerable rebounds while the returning Chad Patus also contributed with a solid display.

This first leg was also hit by a few controversial decisions as the officials, at times, left much to be desired in such a tense and physical encounter where, perhaps, the two early technical fouls against Athleta might have had a bearing on the rest of the match.

Luxol opened a 25-19 lead in an aggressive opening only for Athleta to come back in the closing minute of the first quarter to reduce the gap to three points.

The second quarter followed the same pattern with Luxol’s 41-33 lead whittled down to a single point at half-time – 41-40.

Six consecutive points after the interval saw Athleta 46-41 ahead but Luxol hit back strongly to start the last ten minutes 63-61 in front.

Luxol’s Jean Paul Schembri was disqualified for an anti-sports foul and that was followed with a dubious fourth foul on Deguara in attack.

Luxol lost composure and more woes laid in store for them when Marco Mercieca was ejected (fifth foul) for protests.

Athleta kept their cool, dominated the last few minutes to pave the way for another cup success.

Athleta: M. Naudi 22, M. Krastev, D. Bugeja 14, C. Patus 25, C. Galea, W. Spiteri, O. Said 7, S. Pace, D. Ross, K. Baldacchino 2, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 21.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 2, M. Mercieca 9, A. Micallef 6, J. Willoughby, A. Andrejevic, J.P. Schembri 6, N. Vasovic 13, J.P. Bonnici, M. Myers Keitt 11, A. Micallef Trigona 6, S. Deguara 25, S. Capello.

Refs: E. Mangani, G. Barbara, T. Helenius.

PAVI Depiro girls take an edge on Caffe Moak Luxol

Caffe Moak Luxol 52
PAVI Depiro 67

(9-17, 18-8, 10-22, 15-20)

While Depiro were strengthened with the return of Sam Brincat, Luxol had to do without playmaker Sara Pace for the first leg of the women’s Louis Borg Cup final.

Depiro’s win was deserved as they showed the better ideas. Their foreigner, Nola Taylor, had her best performance to date, potting 16 points in the process.

None of these two contestants succeeded in showing superiority in the opening two quarters as Luxol led 27-25 at half-time.

The interval helped Depiro to reorganise and gradually they took control. Luxol’s slow-moving defence was ably exploited by Depiro who started the last ten minutes 47-37 ahead.

Depiro continued to dictate matters as Luxol coach Sandro Farrugia failed to call a time-out and, perhaps, try out new tactics.

In the end, Depiro made the most of Luxol’s erratic play. Tomorrow they start favourites to win this two-legged contest.

Luxol: M. Caruana 2, M. Mercieca 7, I. Molina, B. Naudi 7, G. Costa 2, K. Portelli, S. DeMartino 9, K. Baldacchino, P. Bright 25, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi.

Depiro: N. Agius, G. Mifsud 5, T. DeMartino, S. Brincat 17, D. Sammut, M. Mifsud, A. Borg 14, N. Taylor 16, N. Denghue, S. Micallef, B. Zammit 15.

Refs: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, T. Helenius.