Athleta need just another victory

Athleta obtained their second victory to advance to just a win away from the final.

Their victory came about in the last quarter as Depiro had battled neck and neck for three whole sessions of play and the last period began on a par. Athleta then broke away and Depiro couldn’t came back as they did earlier on in the game.

It was the Athleta duo Christina Grima and Amelia Simmons who inflicted the damage to Depiro’s defence as they kept up their positive run against their opponents with a sixth victory in seven encounters.

Depiro began with free shots with Athleta then taking a 9-2 advantage with a Denise Said Hollier trey. A personal Maria Bonett 7-0 run had Depiro tying the score. The lead then changed hands four more times as Gaby Mifsud sank a Depiro triple and her side went in front yet again.

In the second period Sam Brincat netted a Depiro trey but Athleta replied with an 8-2 run as they forged ahead. Depiro levelled the score twice but Simmons free throws had Athleta leading 27-24 at the interval.

After the break Athleta held on to their advantage and then they stretched it further with a 7-2 run after a Grima three basket spread. Depiro reacted well till the end of the session making up an 11-2 run as Brincat sank a second triple.

The score was even going into the last quarter at 38-38. The play turned in athleta’s favour as they began with a 7-0 run. Depiro answered with a brace of hoops but Athleta surged forward once more and they dominated their adversaries till the final buzzer as they put in a solid 16-0 run with a Beverlee Zammit trey before Depiro could end the match with their last hoop.

Athleta and Depiro will meet for the third time tomorrow at 11.15am and another Athleta win will propel them into the final.

Depiro: A. Mifsud 2, G. Mifsud 4, M. Balzaraviciute, S. Brincat 16, M. Bonett 10, M. Micallef, N. Agius, M. Scicluna, C. Schumacher 8, J. Xuereb 2, T. DeMartino, C. Ciantar 2

Athleta: M. Stefanovic, C. Grima 26, B. Zammit 3, L. Sciberras 2, A. Simmons 23, D. Said Hollier 7, A. Borg, J. Schembri, S. Vella, A. Debenay, C. Mifsud

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani,