Repeat performance by Athleta as they beat Starlites again

Basketball Bank of Valletta men’s league

Starlites GIG 78 Gzira Athleta 87 (27-18, 18-27, 15-17, 18-25)

Just a few days ago Athleta won their first seasonal honour - the Louis Borg Cup - at the expense of Starlites and the two sides were scheduled to meet once more this time in the league.

Starlites opened in style as they rammed in an early 15-3 advantage as Alec Felice Pace began with a trey and he also finished up as the game's top scorer.

Felice Pace and American Andrew Sears also added more hoops whilst Nathan Xuereb started Athleta off with his trey. Starlites increased their lead further with Felice Pace's second triple but American Vincent Pace netted an Athleta triple soon after.

Starlites still held sway as American Jordan Stotts also nailed a triple but Athleta replied well till the end of the session with a brace of Peter Shoults triples.

The next period had Athleta coming forward to wipe off their deficit. Matthew Goider netted a trey and a 10-0 run ending with another Pace trey had boht sides level on points.

Starlites regained their lead as Felice Pace made a third trey but Athleta were equal to their adversaries as the lead changed hands. American Cameron Ward put in a Star- lites triple but the session finished all square for a 45-45 interval score.

After the break, it was Starlites regaining another advantage again through Sears but Xuereb sank a second Athleta trey and later on another Pace triple put the game on a par.

Stotts netted a further Starlites trey with Athleta answering back with a session ending 9-2 run as Xuereb made another triple and his side were 62-60 in front.

Starlites were ahead for the last time in the last session when Felice Pace and Stotts put in back to back triples. but Athleta went on song with a heavy 13-3 run even if Ward put in a Starlites trey.

Athleta went further in front adding on another 7-0 run with a second Gouder trey and Starlites were left short of time. They stuck to their task but Athleta could keep control till the end of the match.

Starlites: A. Felice Pace 22, N. Formosa 6, R. Bonnici , I. Felice Pace, C. Ward 7, M. Falzon, M. Scerri , R. Carabott 2, W. Darley 3, A. Sears 18, J. Stotts 20

Athleta : N. Vasovic 4, C. Crossland 18, P. Shoults 10, L. Stefanovic, N. Xuereb 9, M. Gouder 8, V. Pace 21, I. Mitrovic , J. Guity 17

Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, D. Torok