Athleta A to Z Electronics saw off rivals Bupa Luxol to reach the final of the St James Hospital Shield for the third year running. Virtus Cynergi are the other finalists following their victory over Floriana Café Del Mar in the other semi-final.

A to Z Electronics Athleta 79
BUPA Luxol 54

(8-16, 26-10, 20-8, 25-20)

Luxol were off to a strong opening but they fizzled out as the second quarter got underway. The experienced Athleta, inspired by the in-form Chad Patus, started taking control as Luxol were unable to react.

American Orlando Rutledge was prominent in the early stages as Luxol opened a 10-4 lead.

A time-out brought an improvement in Athleta’s performance but this was not enough to prevent Luxol leading 16-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Athleta began the second session in determined fashion, catching Luxol on the wrong foot as they were on the receiving end of a 14-2 break. The balance shifted Athleta’s way as they went 22-18 in front.

Although Luxol upped their game, Athleta held firm to change end 34-26 ahead.

After a balanced start to the third quarter, another 12-point run extended Athleta’s advantage as they went into the last 10 minutes 54-34 ahead.

In the last 10 minutes, Athleta had no difficulty controlling Luxol’s efforts to book their place in the final.

Athleta: M. Naudi 14, R. Vella 5, C. Patus 30, A. Aquilina 12, M. Gauci Montanaro 2, O. Said 16, M. Gouder, I. Tanti.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 1, A. Portelli 2, J. Willoughby, A. Borg, J.P. Schembri 2, N. Andrevic, O. Rutledge 29, A. Micallef Trigona 6, J.P. Bonnici 8, S. Capello 6.

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Virtus Cynergi 81
Floriana Caffe Del Mar 69

(23-20, 21-20, 23-12, 14-17)

Virtus took maximum advantage of Floriana’s weaknesses from the free-throw line and their innumerable turnovers.

Nathan Walkup missed the game through injury but his replacement, Evon Bruinsma, left a good impression and was instrumental in Virtus’s victory.

Floriana recovered Dirk Schembri to field their best formation but, at the moment, their decision to replace Christopher Montgomery with Nick Oudendag is not paying the desired dividends as the latter lacks shooting power.

Oudendag also had to leave the court for two anti-sporting fouls when Floriana were pushing to reopen the match.

Virtus deserved their victory as they turned the ball better in attack and were more precise in their shooting.

After Virtus had taken an early 10-3 lead, seven consecutive points allowed Floriana to draw level.

Fluffed free-throws allowed Virtus to regain their eight-point lead, 19-11.

After a time-out, Floriana settled but their efforts to overturn the deficit were foiled by lost possessions.

Once again, it was Virtus who enjoyed the better start to the second session. Shrugging off their difficult foul situation, they managed to extend their lead to 32-22.

Floriana surpassed this difficult moment to narrow the gap to four points by half-time, 34-30.

After the interval, Virtus’s full-court press helped them to recover possession on several occasions as Floriana were careless in their passing while their attack was static.

Midway through the quarter, Virtus led 59-44.

Floriana’s reaction was short-lived as, after reducing the deficit to nine points, 59-50, mistakes allowed Virtus to begin the last 10 minutes 67-52 to the good.

With about five minutes left, Floriana started to press and Virtus lost their composure. But Floriana’s recovery was halted when they lost Oudendag for his second anti-sporting foul after scoring a basket.

Virtus: S. Pace 5, D. Bugeja 10, R. Bonnici 11, C. Doublet, A. Schembri, E. Bruinsma 38, A. Felice Pace, I. Buldakov, G. Coleiro, P. Shoults 10, R. Bartolo. A. Axiaq 7.

Floriana: N. Oudendag 19, M. Mercieca 15, L. Ross 13, N. Sultana 5, S. Borg, N. Vasovic 5, C. Calleja 2, D. Schembri 7, O. Shamala, D. Agius 3.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Next fixtures
Sunday (BOV KO): 13.00 Floriana vs Siġġiewi; 16.30 Virtus vs Luxol.