Balkan recover from their first defeat

Starlites GIG 48

Balkan Fusion 76

(8-18, 7-18, 13-19, 20-21)

Balkan had suffered their opening seasonal defeat, at the end of last year, but recovered, to post their third league victory in four matches, disposing of the youthful Starlites, as they had done in a Shield match, earlier on in the season.

Starlites had skipper, Anthony Schembri, and Miguel Vella missing, along with the suspended Miguel Falzon.

Balkan were a changed side from their last encounter, recovering Slavko Opejevlic, Alrex Perunicic and Nikola Stankovic, with the last two being their top scorers in this match.

They were missing Nenad Bukva, Vasilj Lekovic and Marcos Hernandes.

After the opening skirmishes, Balkan went into a solid advantage, after a 10-0 run. Starlites reacted slightly, but Balkan managed a three-hoop spread, which increased their lead till the end of the session.

In the next period Balkan went on, to make up an early 10-2 run, with more Stankovic points.

Starlites’ points were far between, as Perunicic helped himself to a nap hand of hoops, to take his side’s tally to a 36-15 advantage, for Balkan, at the interval.

After the break Starlites were still at the receiving end, as Perunicic and Stankovic continued potting their points. Stralites recovered.

Later on in the session, with Ryan Carabott points, but Balkan had Zika Stankovic with a triple, as they lead 55-28, going into the last quarter. The game became more balanced, but Balkan were out in front.

Starlites had Isaac pace and Ian Felice Pace with treys, as the latter became the only Starlites player on a double figure score. Nikola Stankovic went on court once more, to hike up the Balkan score, late in the match, and keep their heavy lead constant.

Starlites: O. Psaila 2, M. Azzopardi 2, L. Vella, I. Felice Pace 12, M. Scerri 4, R. Carabott 8, J. Attard 3, I. Pace 7, J. Wait 6, A. Xuereb 4

Balkan: N. Radicevic 9, M. Stjepanovic 5, B. Ilic 6, I. Kumric 6, S. Opojevlic 2, A. Perunicic 22, S. Jorba 3, Z. Stankovic 3, N. Stankovic 20

Referees: N. Azzopardi, S. Micallef