Depiro practically in the semis
The last time these two sides met, in the league, a trio of triples in the last minute of play propelled Starlites to victory, from imminent defeat.
This time around Depiro made short shrift of their adversaries, winning by a huge margin of points, which will make the return encounter worthless.
Depiro just took the match from the scruff of the neck, and proceeded to sweep Starlites aside, led by an imperious David Bugeja, with four other players finishing on a double figure score.
Starlites fell quickly behind, and continued to stumble back into a solid deficit, unable to keep the rampant opponents at bay. Such a heavy defeat could bring about an improvement in their play, if they could pinpoint their deficiencies.
There was really no story to the match, as Bugeja ripped the opposing defence apart from the start, with Depiro making up a 12-2 run, as Robert Formosa sank a Depiro trey, with Jacob Formosa also netting a triple for Starlites.
The second period was worse for Starlites, as Bugeja, who nailed a trey, was also helped along with Andrew Aquilina and Dominic Scafidi points, with the former netting a brace of triples. Depiro here netted a better 19-0 run. At the interval Depiro had already gone on to a steady 57-21 advantage.
After the break the rout continued, as Bugeja didn't let up, pouring in his points, and making another triple, with a helping hand once more, from Scafidi. This time there was an early 13-0 run from Depiro.
Starlites made a sort of reaction, as Formosa and Nikola Stankovic made a trio of hoops each, but Depiro had progressed to a much better 82-31 score.
In the last quarter Depiro again ran riot, with the Starlites clan not really knowing what had hit them.
Depiro began with a 10-0 run, and along with the rampant Bugeja, there was DJ Mason putting in his points. Formosa managed to sink a couple of treys, with Depiro answering back with interest, as they ended the match with a late 19-2 run, after they had reached their century.
Starlites: I. Mitrovic 4, I. Pace, L. Vella, A. Schembri 2, C. Schembri, M. Falzon, A. Felice Pace 5, Z. Stankovic, J. Formosa 21, N. Stankovic 14, T. Grech 4
Depiro: N. Grech, D. Bugeja 41, R. Bonnici 18, D. Schembri 4, A. Aquilina 14, DJ Mason 11, T. Zammit 4, M. Mallia, A. Quiroz, K. Xuereb 6, M. Borg, D. Scafidi 21
Referees: G. Barbara, C. Farrugia, I. Marjanovic