Athleta take first step to the league title

Athleta were recording their fifth consecutive victory over Marvels, this season, although this win a low toned one. Marvels held their own till the interval, and also held an early advantage, but a determined start, after the break, established Athleta's supremacy, and from then on Marvels had to chase at a distance, with Athleta finishing up comfortable victors. Athleta put in their strongest squad, with both Mike Giusti and young, Nathan Xuereb involved. Marvels fielded their regular outfit.

Athleta's skipper, Joshua Aquilina began with a trey for his side, as the unbeaten team went in front. Marvels made a good reaction, making up a three hoop spread, and going on to a 9-2 run. Marvels were still in front at the end of the opening session. Jonathan Ransley kept up his good work, for Marvels, in the next session, but it was athleta then putting in their three basket spread, to forge ahead. Marvels regained their lead, with Christian Briffa free shots, but Athleta had the better ending to the period, with an 8-2 run, when Xuereb netted two triples in succession, to give his side a 22-18 advantage, at the interval.

Darren Debattista's free throws stopped Athleta momentarily, with both sides making more points. Athleta had stamped their advantage, with Marvels falling 2341 behind. In the last quarter Athleta made sure early, increasing their lead, as Stefan Vincic sank a trey. They then began to relax, with marvels coming back, and Briffa points, and David Garcia free shots, produced a 9-2 run, which cut off a chunk of their deficit. Julian wait netted a late athleta triple, as his side took the first step to clinch the league title.

The second final, in a best if five, will be played on Tuesday, 2ist March.

Athleta: R. Zammit, F. Mifsud Bonnici 7, J. Wait 5, J. Aquilina 7, L. Stefanovic 3, M. Gauci Montaldo 2, M. Giusti, K. Thompson 16, C. Schembri, S. Vincic 5, M. Cilia, N. Xuereb 6

Marvels: L. Azzopardi 2, D. Massa, D. Pisani 5, R. Curmi, D. Debattista 4, K. Maruda, D. Garcia 3, C. Briffa 10, A. Morris , J. Ransley 11, A. Toompere Referees: B. Sly, Z. Dobrosavljevic, I. Marjanovic