Stronger Starlites with first league victory
Mellieha Tritones 56
Starlites Naxxar 70
(12-12, 15-17, 15-26, 14-15)
Starlites obtained their first league win right at the start of the new year.
They also reversed their league loss to Melliieha earlier on in the season. Starlites have a strengthened side with the ruling of being able to play top division players.
They could include their Serbian Nikola Stankovic and new signing Ryan Carabott from Hibernians and also recovered Isaac Pace.
Mellieha had Michel Farrugia and Bernard Soler missing but Ian Terribile was back after his arm injury and Samuel Aquilina made an appearance after a two season absence.
Mellieha obtained the game’s opening six points with Robert Loporto starting well and Starlites made their reply with a 10-0 run as their new entries began early on. Mellieha eased back in the match to draw level twice till the end of the session.
In the next period, Mellieha regained their advantage but they were being pegged back continuously by Starlites. Terribile sank a triple for Mellieha along with more points as did Loporto but Carabott was leading the Starlites attacks as they made their way back a total of six times before grabbing another advantage right at the half time buzzer after some Mellieha defensive lapses to lead on a slim 29-27 score.
After the break, Starlites increased their lead were pulled back but answered with a three basket spread as Quentin Bugeja went on fire.
Janis Vibe netted Mellieha’s next points but Bugeja was still going strong for Starlites helping them to a 9-2 run. Terribile netted a brace of hoops for Mellieha but Stankovic made a good ending to the session for Starlites who were 55-42 in front.
In the last quarter, it was Carabott once more to maintain Starlites’ winning distance even if Daniele Miani made his first points for Mellieha but his side was unable to make any inroads and Starlites ended up comfortable victors.
Mellieha: J. Muscat, R. Loporto 13, J. Vibe 9, I. Terribile 19, B. Aquilina 1, D. Miani 6, E. Lupo 4, S. Aquilina,C. Grixti 2
Starlites: M. Azzopardi, L. Vella, A. Xuereb 4, M. Vella, I. Pace 2, A. Perunicic 4, N. Stankovic 20, R. Carabott 24, Q. Bugeja 14, A. Cutajar 2, M. Farrugia Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, M. Rajczi
Athleta consolidate top position
Gzira Athleta 47
Marvels Power Plus 38
(18-12, 10-8, 10-9, 9-9)
Athleta kept up their winning streak since the start of the season as they registered their third victory over Marvels to hold a firm grip on their top league placing with a seven match win sequence.
Athleta were missing two players - Daniel Buhagiar and Nicolo’ Petrucci. Marvels were without David Garcia and Steve Sammut with the Polish player Kamil Maruda making another appearance after an early season inclusion: Melchior Formosa was also recovered.
Athleta’s opening points had a Marvels answer but the league leaders then made a 10-2 run, ending with a Luca Stefanovic trey. Marvels put in a three hoop spread but they were still trailing at the end of the session.
In the second period, Athleta put more distance between the two sides as they embarked on an 8-0 run with Kwame Thompson points. Marvels dragged themselves back with a long 8-2 run taking them to the interval but Athleta were still 28-20 to the good halfway through the encounter.
After the break, Marvels were still making their way back with Darryl Pisani and Luke Azzopardi points the latter with a triple. Marvels were just a point in arrears but Athleta halted their strides and managed to make up a 10-2 run which which restored their previous advantage till the end of the session on a 38-29 score.
The last period was evenly balanced but Marvels were never able to make up any leeway as Athleta held them at arms’ length on a double figure advantage till the end of the match to surpass another obstacle.
Athleta: R. Zammit, F. Mifsud Bonnici 3, J. Wait 2, J. Aquilina 2, L. Stefanovic 9, M. Gauci Montaldo 4, M. Giusti 5, K. Thompson 18, S. Vincic 3, M. Cilia 2
Marvels: L. Azzopardi 5, D. Massa, D. Pisani 10, R. Curmi, D. Debattista 2, M. Formosa, C. Camenzuli, K. Maruda 2, C. Briffa 8, J. Ransley 9, A. Toompere 2 Referees: E. Mangani, S. Micallef