Another century win for Athleta

Gzira Athleta 108 Victoria Libertas 55 (21-15, 31-11, 34-13, 22-16)

Athleta stayed in second place, in the league table, with their second century victory, after one over Hibs, as they overtook Depiro, with the same number of points, but with direct game advantage. Once again it was the Spanish, Albert Serra, who led the Athleta charge. His side recovered Benoit Bartolo, from their last match, but Miguel Gauci Montaldo was missing, as was Michael Giusti. Libertas had Emanuel Lupo back, after his sojourn abroad, but he had to cry off , with an injured ankle, in the second session. Missing players for Libertas were Michel Farrugia, who was abroad.

Athleta strode ahead early in the match, on a 15-4 run, as Luca Stefanovic netted a trey, and Francesco Mifsud Bonnici and Serra made their hoops. Libertas managed a three hoop spread, and Lupo and David Agius put in more baskets. Serra netted another brace of athleta hoops, with daniele Miani nailing a late Marvels triple. In the second period Athleta began with a solid 14-0 run, and more Serra points, with a couple of treys. Later on Serra added another triple, and Bartolo netted two treys. Agius sank a Marvels triple, and Stefan Vincic closed down Athleta's score, with his trey, for a heavy 52-26 advantage, at the interval.

After the Athleta made up a sound 15-0 run, with Nathan Xuereb hoops, and a four hoop blast from Serra. Marvels reacted with their free shots, as serra kept up his barrage of points, helping Athleta to a period ending 9-1 run, to an 86- 39 score. Carmelo Puccia's three hoop contribution put athleta close to the century. Miani netted his second Marvels triple, with Bartolo#s trey getting Athleta's hundred mark. Both sides made more points, till the final buzzer.

Athleta: K. Schembri 2, F. Mifsud Bonnici 8, J. Caruana, , A. Serra 37, L. Stefanovic 11, N. Henriksen 2, N. Xuereb 10, J. Aquilina 2, B. Bartolo 11, S. Vincic 13, J. Ransley 5, C. Puccia 7

Libertas: K. Galea 3, N. Petrucci 10, S. Mizzi 9, P. Caruana 3, D. Miani 8, E. Lupo 6, B. Soler 3, D. Agius 13 Referees: N. Azzopardi, I. Marjanovic