Last gasp basket keeps Starlites unbeaten
Starlites GIG 87 Hibernians 86 (13-12, 29-26, 21-23, 24-25)
Starlites started this encounter with seven straight wins under their belt, but they were staring at their first defeat, with just three seconds remaining, as Hibs' American, Mason Vires coolly potted his brace of free throws.
But three seconds were enough time for Starlites' American, Bryan Jefferson, to receive a pass at the corner of the court, and turn and shoot straight into the opposing basket, leaving the Paolites staring at the game clock striking the final buzzer, having an important victory just wrenched from their hands. Along with Athleta, Depiro and Luxol, Hibs are vying for one of three Play Off places, seeing that Starlites have alreagy booked one, given their unbeaten run.
Now Hibs have to win their last two matches, against companions in distress, Depiro ans Luxol, who have a game in hand over the Paolites, and will play the day after. Hibs chased after the result for most 0of the agme, but they rallied well in the final quarter, to lead on three occasions in the last stages of the encounter, only to be cruelly foiled by a last second hoop, which kept Starlites' unbeaten run intact this season.
Hibs began well enough, grabbing the first six points of the match, with the league leaders putting in eight points of their own, to overturn the score. Hibs were back, with another half a dozen points, only for Starlites' American, Robert Ahearn, to notch the opening session's last points, including a triple, and forge in front once more. The next session was chockful of points.
Vires had Hibs ahead again, but that was their last advantage for some time, as Starlites' American duo, Travis McConico and Jefferson began to pour in their points. The Paolites put their Serbian, Ivan Demcesen, on court, and his points kept Hibs hovering near, , until a 70 run, with an Alec Felice Pace trey, had Starlites on a double digit lead. Hibs had a good ending to the period, to edge back to a 38-42 halftime deficit.
After the break Nikola vasovic netted a Hibs triple, and his side kept breathing down Starlites' necks for some time. Vasovic sank another trey, for just a hoop difference between the two sides, but Starlites again opened up their advantage. David Bugeja, who seemed inspired till the end of the match, and Vires took the Paolites to a minimal disadvantage till the end of the session, as Starlites just led 63-61.
Bugeja twice took Hibs in front, but Matthew Scerri's triple had Starlites on a tied score, at
71-71. Then it was Hibs' turn ti tie the score, with Keith Dimech's triple. The lead changed hands once more on three other occasions, before Hibs' Italian, Luca Tardito put them level once more. Starlites grabbed a double hoop advantage, but Hibs came right back, as Vires sank a trey and then slotted his two free shots, with three seconds on the clock.
Then came Jefferson's match winner, leaving Hibs wondering just what they have to do to win against Starlites, seeing that they were pipped twice on the two occasions that they met them, losing 80-82 in their first round match.
Starlites: A. Felice Pace 16, J. Zammit 4, R. Bonnici , M. Scerri 3, R. Carabott 2, B. Jefferson 30, T. McConico 23, M. Palmier , R. Ahearn 5
Hibs: M. Vires 29, P. Attard , D. Bugeja 20, L. Farrugia 4, K. Dimech 3, N. Vasovic 11, A. Axiaq 6, M.
Matijevic , L. Tardito 5, I. Demcesen 8
Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, M. Hraisha
Giant step forward for Depiro for a Play Off place
Depiro 72 Mellieha Libertas 54 (20-18, 8-12, 21-9, 23-15)
Depiro: TJ Attwood 24, C. Thomas6 , A. Chomo 8, A. Attard 2, N. Grech 3, D. Farrugia 6, K. Caruana 11, M. Brincat 10, M. Mallia 2, M. Debattista , L. Vella
Mellieha: A. Schembri , M. Falzon 2, V. Jandric 7, M. Fabri , I. Bonett 17, M. Gauci Montaldo , K. Skrabec , J. Brooks 6, M. Azzopardi 8, P. Shoults 14
Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, V. Nikolic Athleta are nearly there, in the Play Off semis
Gzira Athleta 89 Bupa Luxol 73 (14-24, 30-21, 23-20, 22-8)
Athleta: D. Labossiere 19, D. Parmer 7, F. Mifsud Bonnici 20, L. Stefanovic , S. Galea , N. Xuereb 16, M. Gouder 20, I. Xuereb , D. Causewell 7, N. Bukva
Luxol: J. Cefai , K. Gauci , P. Engelbert , N. Buhagiar , E. Caruana Montaldo, JP Schembri 8, L. Trapani , K. Elder 31, A. Arrington 25, S. Cappello 9
Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, D. Torok