Athleta clinch 11th title after third final match - May 2, 2019
Hibernians - Athleta 88-93
It was the shortest route possible, for Athleta, to reclaim the league title, after an absence of four seasons. This was their 11th league success in all, and now they are two victories shy of Luxol, who have bagged 13 league titles. They strode in front, shortly after the start of the encounter, and stayed there, but for a brief period, in the second session. Hibs went really close, late in the game, but Athleta held out their opponents' last frantic efforts, to close down the series, with three straight victories. Hibs' play was not that convincing, at first, although they were never too far away from their adversaries. When they staged their last surge, it was the Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur, sinking his triples, as he did, from the second period onwards. If it was not for the remarkable shooting of Athleta's Matthew Gouder, Hibs could have forced the fourth match, but Americans, Vincent Pace (198-G-96, college: Tufts), Julio Guity (201-F-95, college: Montevallo) and Connell crossland, did enough to thwart Hibs, who had Italian, Luca Tardito (204-F-89), given special attention, and Canadian, Cuschieri Patus (203-F-87, college: Belm.Abbey) coming into his own after the interval. Athleta were more aggressive in these last two finals, and the Paolites' loss, after overtime, in the opening encounter seemed to have hit them hard. They again had skipper, Marco Matijevic, missing, and their Serbian, Ivan Demcesen, stayed on the bench. Hibs were twice a bucket in front, at the start, with Athleta going haead a little later. The Paolites tied the score, but that was the last time that they didn't trail their opponents. A 10-0 run, with Gouder's brace of treys, established a good lead. Hibs recovered, to go within three points, with a Roderick Vella triple, his only points in the game. The second session had Lizaur and Cuschieri patus making triples, as the Paolites sneaked in front. Athleta's reply was a 9-2 Runas Connell and Pace restored their side's advantage. Hibs dug deep, and Lizaur came to the fore, with two quick treys, but Pace made a triple of his own, and late Connell points had Athleta on a 43-36 halftime lead. After the break the points were easier for both sides. The Paolites relied on their treys, from Luke Farrugia (181-G/F-97), Cuschieri Patus and Lizaur, as they countered Guity's hoops, which came thick and fast, for Athleta. The latter side established a double-digit advantage, and more Gouder and Pace triples had Hibs trailing, on a 57-67 score. The last quarter saw Kwame Thompson (181-G, college: Newbury) getting in among the Athleta scorers and his side was boosted to a better 76-63 scoreline. The Paolites responded well, to cut down on their deficit, with more treys, braces by Lizaur and Cuschieri Patus, and another from Farrugia, but they were denied an advantage, as Gouder sank a trio of triples, in a short time. Late Tardito hoops took Hibs into a serious contention, but a confused ending, with turnovers at either end, had Athleta hanging on, and Pace delivered the coup de grace, with his last two free shots, with seven seconds remaining on the clock. Athleta were the new league winners, dethroning the same Hibs, and adding on their Louis Borg Cup success. The Paolites' consolation were the Super Cup and K.O. victories. The season's other honours went to Luxol, in the Independence Cup, and Starlites bagged the MBA Shield. After the match the BOV Chief Officer, Anthony Scicluna, and the MBA President, Paul Sultana, presented medals to the winning side. The MVP award, for the whole series, went to Vincent Pace, and skipper, Peter Shoults, received the league trophy, his fourth league title, along with those, with Siggiewi and twice with Virtus. Courtesy of: independent.com.mt
Hibs in third straight K.O. final win - Apr 1, 2019
The 53rd edition of the Men's K.O. went Hibs' way, but only after overtime, as they kept the Cup for the third time in succession, and for the fifth time, in their history. They also kept a hold on their final appearances, winning all five finals they took part in. Depiro had appeared in fourteen finals before, winning four of them. It was a close match for most of the time, and it was a pity that one of the finalists had to go home empty handed, as both deserved to win. The Paolites led throughout all the regular time of play, only to see Depiro force overtime, in the last seconds of the match. Depiro then led twice, in extra time, but a better ending by the champions ensured their victory, and eventual placing in the Super Cup, next season. The captains of both teams were non-playing ones, both being injured, but took their places on the bench. At the end it was Hibs' Marco Matijevic, who held aloft the winning trophy. Hibs started well, with a couple of triples, by Canadian, Chad Patus (203-F-87, college: Belm.Abbey), and Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur. American, Trent Steen (203-F, college: UAPB), made depiro's first points, from free throws, followed by another American, Jack Nygaard. The last stages of the period had Serbian, Ivan Demcesen (216-C-91), and Roderick Vella (180-PG-85), the latter also with a trey, making more points, for a hansome Hibs advantage. The next session saw Depiro making ground, with a 9-0 run, and an Omar said triple. The triples began to pour in, with three at either end. Nicholas Grech and Nygaard, twice, netted for the Paolites, and Chad Patus, Luke Farrugia and Lizaur making thiers for Hibs. More Nygaard points drew Depiro closer, but they were still 40-44 behind, at the interval. After the break the Paolites opened up thier advantage once more, with another Lizaur trey and Italian, Luca tardito, hoops. Said and Nygaard also made Depiro triples, with Lizaur sinking another, in between, for the champions. Vella also put in a second trey, as Hibs extended their advantageSteen and Nygaard twice pulled Depiro closer, with Hibs making their points in between, as the Paolites were leading 69-61, after three sessions of play. The last quarter had Depiro running down their deficit, as Nygaard points, and another treyhad them just a point behind. Hibs held on to their lead, with Chad Patus sinking a third triple. A e Depiro effort brought dividenda, as three Steen buckets had his side on a par, at 81-81, to force overtime, when Hibs failed in their last possession. More Nygaard points had Depiro leading for the first time, and regaining another advantage, but the champions persevered, and they managed to end the overtime on a better level, as they netted the last seven points of the period, to claim the victory, making their last free shots, when Depiro tried to stop the shot clock. After the match the BOV Chief Officer, Peter Peroti, and MBA president, Paul Sultana, presented the Hibs players with their winning medals, the MVP award went to Roderick Vella, and Marco Matijevic received the K.O. trophy, for the Paolites' second honour of the season, after the Super Cup. Courtesy of: independent.com.mt
Louis Borg Cup: Gzira in 10th Cup success, with aggregate victory - Feb 18, 2019
Athleta started the match two points in arrears, but they won the second encounter with points to spare, even after aggregate, having the better of a Starlites side, who held leads till midway through the second period, but then spent the remainder of the encounter chasing after their adversaries. They were close till late in the third session, when Athleta pulled away, to take control. A late Starlites flurry, with triples, brought about some hope, but Athleta stood firm, to make their last free shots, and ascertain themselves of a tenth Cup success, after a three season wait. It was a thrilling match, with personal defence for most of the time, at either end, and some very enthralling personal duels. Man of the match, American, Connell Crossland (201-F-91, college: TCU), has now ingrained himself well in Athleta's scheme of things, with American, Vincent Pace (198-G-96, college: Tufts), also hiking up a good tally of points. Starlites' americans tried their utmost, but this time they had to play second fiddle, and bow to their opponents' endeavors. Starlites held early leads, with Americans, Jordan Stotts (203-F-93, college: Sioux Falls, agency: Whitecox Lyons SM) and Cameron Ward, triples. An 8-0 Athleta run had them ahead, after the opening session, holding out with some effective defence. In the next period Starlites went nearer, and them went ahead again, as Alec felice Pace distinguished himself, also with a trey, as also netted William Darley. Athleta responded with Crossland and Matthew Gouder (194-F-98) hoops, to regain their advantage, and when Starlites were within a point once more, late in the session, there was Pace with his triple, to take Athleta to a 38-34 halftime lead. After the break Ward and Felice Pace had Starlites snapping at Athleta's heels once again, but Crossland was constant, and his trey had Athleta opening up their advantage. Starlites tried to bridge the gap, but late points had Athleta enhancing their lead, to a solid 58-47 score. The last quarter found Starlites gaining ground, as Ward and Darley put in triples, with Pace netting his in between. Starlites were finding great resistance, as Peter shoults covered miles of court, to help Athleta regain their original double figure advantage Starlites' final spurt had them nailing four triples, two each from Stotts and Ward, but Athleta still found chinks in the opposing defence, to hold their lead steady, with a brace of Nathan Xuereb (171-SF-01) fast breaks. Starlites' last, desperate ploy, to stop the shot clock, was to no avail, as Athleta sank their last free throws, to claim their first honour of the season. After the match, both sets of players were presented with medals, by the MBA president emeritus, Louis Borg, with skipper, Peter Shoults (168-G-85), receiving the winning cup, after two great performances by both sides. Courtesy of: independent.com.mt
Bupa Luxol earn 2018 Independence Cup title - Sep 24, 2018
Bupa Luxol - Gzira Athleta 62:46
Bupa Luxol clinched the Independence Cup trophy. They prevailed against Athleta in the Final. Jandric scored 25 points to pace the effort. Luxol recorded 32:26 halftime lead. They dropped 30 points in the second half to march to the win. Samuel Deguara (223-C-91) and Filip Sekulic (206-C-92, college: Chestnut Hill) netted 16 points each in the victory. Vincent Pace (198-G-96, college: Tufts) responded with 18 points for Athleta.
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