Athleta make it nine wins in Louis Borg Cup
Gzira Athleta 58 Floriana MCP 60 (15-15, 13-21, 17-11, 13-13)
With their heavy advantage, from the first final, behind them, Athleta already had one hand on the Cup, although they were given a good run for their money by the Greens, who had a small satisfaction of winning the second final, and the Cup could be said to have been won on aggregate, with a win apiece. Floriana also led for a good part of the encounter, and even held an elevenpoint lead, in the second period, but Athleta went closer, and the outcome was never in doubt. Before the start of this final, as in all the other games played on Sunday, there was a minute’s silence, in remembrance of the Athleta Basketball Club president, Marcel Pisani, who passed away on Saturday.
Athleta held a brief early lead, with Floriana then overturning the score, making up a good 11-2 run, with a Nikola Vasovic triple. Athleta’s three hoop spread had them regaining the advantage, but the two sides were level after the opening period. In the second session the Greens went ahead once more, with an 8-2 run. They followed this up with another 103 run, by Sean Borg and Chad Patus, with David Camilleri netting an Athleta trey.
Floriana were getting closer to the aggregate score, but Athleta’s next points pushed hopes away, even if Patus ended the session with a three point play, as the Greens led 36-28, at the interval.
After the break Athleta first replied to Floriana’s points, then they made up a solid 11-1 run, as Josiah Whitehead made his points, and Michael Naudi sank a trey.
They went level on the day, to dispel any doubts.. Before the start of the last quarter Floriana were just ahead, at 47-45. Athleta then went for the victory, with an early 9-2 run, as Peter Shoults made his points, and a triple. Floriana crept back, and Nikola Andrejevic came off the bench, to sink a trey. They not only made up the difference, but a game ending 7-0 run, had them winning the match, as Borg netted the winning hoop.
Athleta were still the winners of the Cup, and after the game the President Emeritus of the MBA, Louis Borg, presented the winning medals to the Athleta players, and skipper, Michael Naudi, received the winning trophy, their fourth honour of the season, out of a total of five.
Athleta: M. Naudi 14, R. Vella 4, D. Camilleri 3, P. Shoults 16, F. Mifsud Bonnici, B. Zammit 2, S, Vincic, M. Gauci Montaldo 2, J. Whitehead 17
Floriana: C. Patus 20, D. Korvokuca, S. Pace 4, S. Borg 12, N. Vasovic 7, C. Calleja 2, A. Axiaq 10, A. Micallef Trigona 2, N. Andrejevic 3 Referees: S. Micallef, C. Farrugia, Z. Dobrosavljevic