The group stage of the 2011 MBA Shield came to an end last weekend with Athleta A-Z Electronics and BUPA Luxol joining Siġġiewi and Depiro Mtarfa in the semi-finals.

Floriana 62
BUPA Luxol 71
(17-12, 22-16, 12-16, 11-27)

Floriana seemed heading for a victory in this match but a late change of fortunes saw the tide swaying in Luxol’s favour as they turned an 11-point deficit at half-time into a nine-point victory.

For much of the game, Luxol were having problems to conclude their attacks but in the final quarter Lee Ross and Nikola Vasovic suddenly found their shooting range as Floriana lost their way and Luxol grew in confidence to secure the points.

Floriana had a shaky start but after their first points they settled down nicely to start running the show and take a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Greens extended their lead to 31-14 but after a time-out Luxol improved to close the gap to 39-28 by lemon time.

John Tabone’s team continued to eat into their opponents’ lead as the third session got underway 39-31, only for Floriana to hit a 10-2 run and recover some of their lost ground – 49-33.

This was a difficult moment for Luxol who started the last quarter 51-44 down but they soon levelled matters at 51-all with five minutes still on the clock.

Floriana tried to regain the lead but some hasty play allowed their opponents to take the upperhand and with Ross and Vasovic firing from all angles, Luxol sped to victory and a place in the semi-finals.

Floriana: S. Sammut 9, J. Curmi, N. Mercieca, C. Sammut 16, I. Mercieca 25, R. Polis, A. Sultana 8, M. Ciantar 4.

Luxol: J. Cordina, M. Mercieca 4, L. Ross 27, A. Micallef Trigona 1, S. Mizzi, A. Costa 6, N. Vasovic 15, T. Paris 8, A. Cremona 4, E. Caruana Montaldo, J.P. Bonnici 6, S. Capello.

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

Loyola Tata Motors 42
Athleta A to Z 77
(6-20, 7-16, 15-19, 14-22)

Loyola were never in this game as Athleta were streets ahead to book their place in the last four of this pre-season tournament. Turning the ball around fast, Athleta had acres of space to manoeuvre in Loyola’s zone and finished the first quarter 20-6 ahead.

With Loyola unable to lift their game, Athleta stayed in command and at half-time led 36-13.

Loyola did manage to show better fare after the break but their best effort was still not enough to slow Athleta’s pace who continued to control proceedings and start the last ten minutes clearly 55-28 ahead.

There was no contest neither in the last quarter as Athleta made up for their upset to Siġġiewi in their previous match to force their way into the semi-finals.

Loyola: S. Pace 10, B. Zammit 10, C. Carras, S. Borg 2, S. Vella, A. Axiaq 16, J. Anastasi 2, J. Ransley 2, M. Farrugia.

Athleta: M. Naudi 14, D. Bugeja 8, D. Schembri 13, M. Giusti 3, A. Fekete 9, O. Said 19, A. Bonnici 4, K. Baldacchino 7.

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

Group A: Siġġiewi 4, Athleta 3, Loyola 2.

Group B: Depiro 4, Luxol 3, Floriana 2.

MBA Shield SFs: Saturday 15.30 Siġġiewi vs Luxol. Sunday 14.45 Depiro vs Athleta.

Women’s Shield

Loyola Alyssa Ashley had the better of Luxol to clinch top place in qualifying Group A and now meet Athleta in the semi-finals. Hibs and Luxol will play in the other semi-final next weekend.

Loyola extended their unbeaten run with a merited victory over a subdued Luxol.

Loyola paved the way towards victory in the second quarter during which they dictated matters and changed ends 35-22 ahead.

Luxol tried all they could to wipe out the deficit but this Loyola team does not go down easily. So much so that they finished clear 57-45 winners.

Group B leaders Hibs had little difficulty against Starlites.

They already enjoyed a handsome lead by the end of the first quarter (20-2) and continued where they left off to lead 34-4 at the break.

Hibs slowed down the tempo after the interval but still finished 59-20 winners.

In another match from Group A, Depiro McDonalds obtained their first victory against Qormi Phoenix Morales but still failed to make the cut.

Depiro were in a class of their own and after changing ends 39-13 ahead, they went on to register a 69-31 victory.

Group A: Loyola 6, Luxol 5, Depiro 4, Qormi 3.

Group B: Hibernians 4, Athleta 3, Starlites 2.

Women’s Shield SFs: Saturday, 13.45 Loyola vs Athleta. Sunday, 13.00 Hibs vs Luxol.