Virtus Cynergi 77
BUPA Luxol 58
(27-12, 18-11, 24-18, 8-17)
Virtus confirmed they have a team good enough to challenge for the honours this season as they beat BUPA Luxol to reach the final of the MBA Shield.
Pivot Samuel Deguara was unavailable for Luxol as he is expected to continue his career abroad and his absence was sorely felt as Virtus took control right from the jumpball .
Luxol’s Orlando Rutledge potted 33 points and did his best to keep his team in contention but there was no stopping Virtus on the day.
Virtus were already 14-3 to the good in the early stages of the match. And, with Luxol’s reaction failing to arrive, Virtus led by 15 points at the end of the first quarter.
Luxol had a good start to the second session and nine consecutive points saw them 27-21 behind. But, after a time-out Virtus got back into gear to open a 45-23 lead at the interval.
Virtus slowed the pace in the fourth quarter but victory was never in doubt even though Luxol won the 10-minute session.
However, it was too late for them to save the match.
Virtus: S. Pace 10, D. Bugeja 7, R. Bonnici 4, C. Doublet, A. Schembri, N. Walkup 25, A. Felice Pace, A. Axiaq 23, F. Bartolo 2, G. Coleiro, P. Shoults 6.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina 4, A. Portelli 7, J. Willoughby 2, E. Bartolo, J.P. Schembri, N. Andrevic, O. Rutledge 33, A. Micallef Trigona 6, J.P. Bonnici 2, S. Capello 4.
Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, L. Camilleri.
Athleta A-Z Electronics 96
PAVI Depiro 53
(22-9, 23-11, 26-10, 25-23)
As the scoreline clearly shows, the young and inexperienced Depiro players were no match for Athleta who saw more of the possession, mainly through their zone press, before mounting a series of fast breaks that paved the way for a comfortable win and a place in the final.
This match was controlled by two referees and though play proceeded smoothly, the umpires still found time to eject Depiro coach Gabriele Alesse, a very harsh decision when an official warning was perhaps more appropriate at that juncture.
With Depiro finding it difficult to conclude their attacks, Athleta led 22-9 by the end of the first quarter. There were instances when Depiro created some good moves but their good work was undone by sloppy passing and erratic shots.
Athleta opened a comfortable 45-20 lead by the interval and the game followed the same pattern after the restart.
It was only in the last ten minutes that Depiro came more into the picture to make the scoreline look more respectable and avoid conceding 100 points or more.
Athleta: M. Naudi 22, R. Vella 15, C. Patus 21, A. Aquilina 14, O. Said 16, M. Gouder 2, M. Gauci Montanaro 6.
Depiro: J. Attard, D. Farrugia 2, D. Schembri 2, R. Rizzo 7, T. Zammit 3, N. Grech 2, M. Todorovic 31, R. Sammut 6, S. Zammit, M. Borg, R. Grima.
Referees: C. Terribile, L. Camilleri.
Group A: Athleta 4 (2-0), Floriana 1 (0-1), Depiro 1 (0-1).
Group B: Virtus 4 (2-0), Luxol 1 (0-1), Siġġiewi 1 (0-1).
MBA Shield: (Sunday) 1pm Luxol vs Siġġiewi; 4.30pm Floriana vs Depiro.
Women’s Shield
PAVI Depiro are the first team to reach the final of the women’s St James Hospital Shield after having the better of Hibs.
Depiro made it thanks to their second win in the tournament.
The other slot in the final will be contested by Hibs and Caffe Moak Luxol who stayed in contention after victory over Honey Athleta.
With Sam Brincat and Siarre Evans in fine form, Depiro had the better start to open a 24-11 lead.
However, Silvia Gambino and Christine Attard led Hibs back into the match and the cut the gap to 29-24 at half-time.
Hibs continued where they had left off before the interval to level matters at 32-all. But Depiro showed better qualities in the last quarter and after going 41-35 in front, they extended their lead to 57-44 to claim the victory.
Luxol had playmaker Sarah Pace back and her presence was noticed as the side potted the opening ten points of the match.
Athleta halted the rot temporarily but it was Luxol who finished the first quarter 22-10 ahead.
After a balanced second quarter, Luxol changed ends 32-21 in front before practically sealing the win a few minutes after play restarted.
They opened a 50-25 lead, going on to finish 66-43 winners.
National League: (Sunday) 11.15am Depiro vs Hibs, 2.45pm Phoenix vs Athleta.