Starlites make heavy weather in beating Libertas

Starlites managed to do a league double over Libertas, but they had to sweat out the match, even if their opponents only finished the encounter with three players, having only started with seven players. they then lost four players in the last session.

Truth is, Libertas were not that far off in claiming a clamorous victory, when a Bernard Soler attempt bounced off the ring, in the closing seconds, when they were just a point behind.

It was Libertas with teh better start, and an 8-3 lead. Starlites tied teh score with Ian Felice Pace points, and a trey. Anotehr 10-2 run had Libertas forging in front once more.

Stralites went to within a hoop, after an 8-2 run, but Libertas put in a couple of hoops, as Emanuel Lupo was playing his best match this season. In teh second session Starlites made an Isaac Pace triple, with Miguel Falzon points, for a 7-2 run.

The lead then changed hands four times. Libertas were ahead, at the interval, even if Falzon netted a Starlites trey, but their opponents were 38-36 ahead.

After the break Starlites took an adavantgae, with Matthew Scerri and Felice Pace triples.

Again there was an exchange of leads, on seven occasions, . Pace sank another Starlites trey, but Libertas were back, with more Lupo points, to a slight 5354 deficit.

In the last session Scerri points had Starlites in front, when Michel farrugia was lost, for Libertas, on two technical fouls. Still, Sean Mizzi free throws had Libertas jumping in front.

Starlites regained their lead, and Daniele Miani was out on Libertas fouls.

Starlites couldn't edge away, as Libertas stayed right behind them.

Wayne Spiteri was then lost on fouls, but the four man team nearly pulled it off.

In the last seconds it was Nicolo Petrucci ejected on two technicals, and Starlites managed three more free shots against the three man Libertas side, to end the match on a small margin victory.

Starlites: O. Psaila 2, M. Azzopardi 2, L. Vella , I. Felice Pace 8, M. Scerri 18, M. Falzon 22, J. Attard, I. Pace 17, M. Vella, J. Wait, A. Xuiereb

Libertas: W. Spiteri 2, M. Farrugia 6, N. Petrucci 7, S. Mizzi 6, D. Miani 13, E. Lupo 33, B. Soler

Referees: N. Azzopardi, K. Dwornicz