Athleta ascertain top placing
Gzira Athleta 78 Starlites GIG 61 (19-9, 16-8, 16-15, 27-29)
Athleta will remain at the top of the standings, before the start of the Paly Offs, but they have yet to know who their opponents are going to be. They made it three league wins in three matches, against Starlites, although the latter side had managed to beat them in a Shield match, earlier on. Athleta were without Michael nausi and Billy Zammit, and introduced their new Estonian player, Kevin Liivamagi, but we have yet to see him play, as he remained on the bench.
Starlites were missing Shawn pace, but Miguel Falzon was back, and their former coach, Nedeljco Ninkovic, is now a new player.
Athleta made the opening points, and an Ivan Mitrovic trey, but Robert Bonnici replied for Starlitestaking them to a point behind. Athleta took over again, to post a long 12-3, run, till the end of the periodas Mitrovic sank another triple, to go clear in front. In teh next session Starlites crawled back, despite a brace of hoops, from Athleta's Matthew Gouder, with Mirchell Brewe points, but there was another repeat, with Athleta taking command again, and making up another 12-2 run. Jon Feiler hoisted his personal tally, to take Athleta to a 35-17 advantage, at the interval.
After the break Athleta found stiffer opposition, as SStarlites shared the play. They were still at a distance, but Athleta were unable to advance further in their leadMitrovic nailed another trey for Athleta, and with a last quarter to go, Starlites were trailing 32-51.
The game opened up, with a glut of points at either end. Starlites started well enough, to whittle down their deficit , with a healthy 17-4 run, as Bonnici kept up his good work. Athleta began to pick points once more, and Nathan Xuereb made a triple, as their bench players took to the court. Bonnici sank a third Starlites trey, with Athleta converting their free throws, in the closing stages of the match, to draw away once more, and obtain a better winning margin.
Athleta: K. Liivamagi, P. Shoults 8 , L. Stefanovic, F. Mifsud Bonnici 10, O. Said 10, M. Gouder 9, N. Xuereb 7, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 9, J. Feiler 25
Starlites: N. Ninkovic 3, R. Bonnici 15, A. Schembri 3, M. Scerri, M. Falzon 2, A. Felice Pace 8, R. Carabott 4, I. Pace, I. Felice Pace 3, J. Wait , M. Brewe 24
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, Z. Dobrosavljevic