Depiro’s hopes for semi final berth kept alive

Depiro 76 Fusion Bsketball 67 (23-9, 14-18, 17-17, 22-23)

After their loss to Starlites, it was imperative for Depiro to take a win, and stay in the reckoning, for a semi final place.

This they did, beating Fusion. The latter side are still experiencing the same problems from last season, fielding makeshift sides, with a bare bench. It is a pity, as they have two very valid players, Nikola Bozovic and Stefan Mitic, who can hold their own with anyone. Depiro had a couple of players missing, Ethan Briffa and Reuben Curmi, with Myron Agius making a return to the side. Their Serbian player, Igor Spasojevic, is a telling factor for them, in this division.

Depiro began on a top note, Spasoojevic made a triple. Bozovic did likewise, at the other end, but Depiro came up with a good 11-0 run, and player-coach, Serbian, Marko Zloh, also netted a trey.

Bozovic sank a second Fusion triple, with Spasojevic again extending Depiro' lead, till the end of the session, with another trey. In the next period Depiro put in two more hoops, but Fusion struck a purple patch, making up a solid 14-0 run , as Mitic made a triple. Depiro pressed froward again, as Spasojevic answered with two more triples, but Fusion were not so far behind, at 27-37, when the interval arrived.

After the break Depiro held on to their advantage, with Spasojevic making another triple.

Fusion then managed to put in a 10-0 run, with Janko Jovancevic sinking a triple. Depiro's lead ebbed away, but they recovered, with a 9-2 run, and yet another Spasojevic triple. With a session to go Depiro had back their original lead, with a 54-44 score.

Depiro were surprised once more, as Fusion opened up in a strong manner, and a heavy 14-0 run, mainly from Bozovic, with another brace of treys. Depiro went behind, and had to chase. They made up the leeway, and Spasojevic's next two triples helped them to open up another advantage.

Hibs tried to hit back, and sank more triples, from Bonett, Luke Farrugia and Paul Attard, but they were answered back with more Mellieha treys from Perunicic and Robert Loporto.

Again Mellieha surged forward, amking up another late Bozovic also netted another Fusion trey, but there was little time lrft, and Depiro made sure with the game's last two hoops.

Depiro: M. Baldacchino , I. Spasojevic 30, D. Pisani 4, M. Agius 13, M. Zloh 3, N. Rosic 14, C. Farrugia 2, C. Bevin 2, A. Attard 8

Fusion: S. Milic 15, N. Bozovic 39, N. Zivkovic , D. Garcia Fernandez 4, J. Jovancevic 9, I. Marjanovic

Referees: K. Dworniczak. M.

Hraisha

Back to back victories take Mellieha into the semis Mellieha Libertas 76 Hibernians 55 (19-10, 22-19, 18-9, 17-17)

Mellieha are riding high, since the start fo the season. They made an impact in the Independence Cup matches, going out in the semis. their second straight victory, thsi time against Hibs, ensured their place in the semis.

Their confidence is showing in their play, with their points being shared among a good number of players. They recovered their Serbian player, Alex Perunicic for this match.

The Paolites opened up their Shield commitments with a mix of playing and bench players, from the top division, but they were no match to the strong Mellieha outfit.

Mellieha had their opponents chasing them from the start. They went ahead and stayed there. Isaac Bonett's triple, for the Paolites took them just a hoop away, but Mellieha were back, with a 10-0 run, ending with a Christian Briffa triple.

Bonett managed his second Hibs triple, before the end of the quarter. Mellieha were still dominant, in the second session. An 11-0 run, ending with a trey from the Philippines' Cyril Lastimosa. took Mellieha away from their opponents.

Hibs made an effort, and produced three more triples, from Bonett, and others by Luke Farrugia and Paul Attard, but the Northerners replied through Perunicic and Robert Loporto treys of their own. The interval found Mellieha leading, on a 41-29 score.

Emanuel Lupo and Christian Briffa extended Mellieha's lead after the break, before Bonett sank another Hibs trey. Mellieha went on with their offence, and a session ending 12-2 run ensued, to establish a winning margin , at 5938. The last session was evenly balanced on points, but Mellieha's advantage ascertained the victory.

Mellieha: R. Loporto 6, F. Lisandro , J. Vaz 2, C. Lastimosa 8, A. Perunicic 7, C. Briffa 19, N. Stojanovski 8, E. Lupo 11, K. Skrabec 6, C. Sultana 4, R. Costa 5, M. Costa

Hibs: P. Attard 5, M. Formosa 6, A. Galea 5, L. Farrugia 10, I. Bonett 23, K. Caruana 2, R. Aquilina , M. Attard 4

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, L. Camilleri