Athleta receiving their BOV KO trophy. Photo: Jason Borg

Virtus Cynergi 51
Athleta A-Z Electronics 59

(3-19, 12-11, 12-13, 24-16)

This men’s BOV KO final never reached the heights expected but Athleta were still good enough to collect their fourth honour this season after having the better of a below-par Virtus Cynergi who failed to produce their best play, particularly in the opening quarter.

Athleta showed great teamwork and cohesion but Virtus never really got going and were rather erratic in their shooting as Joe Galea’s men held the upperhand underneath the boards.

At one point Athleta led 19-0 in the opening quarter but near the end Mike Bruesewitz nailed a three-pointer to break the ice for Virtus.

Athleta went in for the break leading 30-15 but had to contend with a strong Virtus response when play resumed.

In fact, Virtus clawed their way back into contention but then they lost Peter Shoults through injury and Athleta scored seven consecutive points to start the last ten minutes 43-37 ahead.

Virtus adopted an aggressive full court press and at first their tactics seemed to be working for them as Athleta also lost pivot Isac Tanti through five fouls.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Virtus were only six points behind, 49-43, and they had an opportunity to apply pressure on their tiring opponents but Bruesewitz failed to pot his shot from outside the arc and David Bugeja also missed his three-point attempt.

In the end, Athleta held on for a hard-earned victory with their captain Michael Naudi being voted as the match’s most valuable player.

Virtus: S. Pace 6, D. Bugeja 8, R. Bonnici 11, T. Grech, M. Falzon, M. Bruesewitz 18, A. Felice Pace, A. Axiaq 2, I. Buldakov, G. Coleiro, P. Shoults 6, F. Bartolo.

Athleta: M. Naudi 12, R. Vella 11, F. Mifsud Bonnici, C. Patus 12, M. Gauci Montaldo, O. Said 12, M. Gouder, I. Tanti 10, A. Aquilina 2.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, C. Terribile.

Super Simmons

PAVI Depiro 54
Honey Athleta 61

(11-13, 15-18, 13-15, 15-15)

Amelia Simmons potted 29 points and was voted best player of the match as Honey Athleta surprised the more quoted PAVI Depiro to win the women’s St James KO final, yesterday.

Athleta have lost four times in the league this season but against Depiro they produced a stirring performance and deserved the victory as they led for most of the match to end a long drought without a major title in women’s basketball.

There was little to separate both teams before the half-time break as Athleta changed ends 31-26 ahead.

Depiro were trying hard to impose their game in the third session but with Simmons firing on all cylinders Athleta hit back to stay in the lead – 46-39.

Tension crept inside Depiro but Athleta kept hold of their nerves to claim the KO title.

Depiro: A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud 5, R. Calleja, S. Brincat 11, M. Bonett, N. Agius, T. Mifsud, S. Evans 28, S. Micallef 6, C. Ciantar 4.

Athleta: E. Moore 13, L. Pirotta 4, S. Vella, L. Cassar, L. Sciberras 10, A. Borg, D. Said Hollier 3, A. Simmons 29, R. Sciberras, F. Farrugia, S.J. Barbara 2, C. Mifsud.

Referees: E. Mangani, L. Camilleri, Z. Dobrosavljevic.

Other result
BOV KO final (Division Two, men): Hibs vs SN Suns 85-59.