Floriana Cafe Del Mar joined Virtus, BUPA Luxol and Gżira Athleta in the semi-finals of the MBA Shield after a handsome victory over Hibs. Athleta topped Group B after outsmarting Luxol.
BUPA Luxol 66
Gżira Athleta 80
(18-25, 18-21, 12-16, 18-18)
Gżira Athleta’s superiority underneath the boards was decisive in their victory over rivals Luxol who had Marco Mercieca missing.
With Marcus Montague in fine form and constantly tormenting the opponents’ defence, Athleta took control from the opening minutes to lead 14-9. Luxol’s Colt Fenson had an encouraging start but when Athleta opted for more close marking he found it difficult to obtain points.
After closing the first quarter 25-18 ahead, Athleta administered their advantage wisely to change ends 46-36 in front.
With Luxol’s reaction failing to materialise, Athleta continued to dictate matters after the interval to start the last ten minutes 62-48 to the good.
Fenson was finding more space where to manoeuvre after the break but his efforts were not enough to apply any kind of pressure on Athleta.
The game finished with a spectacular Chris Julian Cordina basket from well inside Luxol’s half.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina 6, C. Fenson 30, J. Willoughby 2, J.P. Schembri 6, T. Paris 7, J.P. Bonnici 9, S. Capello 6, S. Visser, K. Dimech.
Gzira: M. Naudi 7, R. Vella 5, F. Mifsud Bonnici , M. Montague 36, M. Giusti, I. Buldakov 5 , B. Zammit, A. Micallef 17, L. Stefanovic, S. Visser, N. Lubrano 10, M. Gauci Montaldo.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro.
Floriana Cafe Del Mar 98
Hibernians 51
(26-11, 24-23, 24-8, 24-9)
Floriana took control right from the jump-ball and with Chad Patus in a class of his own they never looked back.
Hibs showed better qualities as the second quarter got underway but at half-time they trailed 50-34.
Any hopes Hibs might have had of closing the gap were dashed after the interval as the Greens found an extra gear. They dominated the scoring and opened a 74-42 advantage before the last 10-minute session got underway.
Hibs were a spent force and Floriana continued to impose their superiority only to fall just short of reaching the 100-point mark.
Floriana: K. Xuereb, L. Ross 15, C. Patus 33, S. Borg 6, A. Portelli 6, N. Vasovic 14, C. Calleja 5, A. Axiaq 11, O. Shamala 2, N. Andrejevic 6.
Hibs: P. Attard 3, M. Hampton 2, A. Baldacchino, S. Attard 7, I. Bonett, K. Caruana 5, R. Carabott 11, K. Sultana, S. Vella 2, F. Mariani 21, R. Cortis.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro.
Shield semi-finals
Saturday – 16.30 Virtus vs Luxol.
Sunday – 16.30 Athleta vs Floriana.