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BOV K.O. Women Semi final
Kerygma 43 Hibs Medsea 89
(17-28)(9-22)(9-19)(8-20)
The champions strode into the final, which they consider their own, having won it in the last seven seasons, and for eleven times in the last fifteen years. It was also their fourth seasonal victory over Kerygma, who are doing quite well this season, having also registered prestigious wins over more quoted opponents.
Hibs are showing their class these days, and are putting all opponents under intense pressure. The Paolites opened up with their flowing play, easily obtaining points, although Kerygma has their fair share of the game, also netting a couple of treys, by Josette Calleja and Moira caruana.
At the other end Lucienne Bezzina, Maria desira and Doreen Parnis were piling up the points for Hibs, and they had already gone into a double figure lead. In the second quarter the Paolites tightened up their defence, and Kerygma found it harder to obtain points, though Calleja put in her second trey.
The champions started introducing their bench players, but their play was still strong, and Bezzina and Caroline Fenech were in the forefront, as the half century was reached at the interval, with Hibs leading 50-26.
After the break the champions put in a 15-0 run, mostly through Beverlee Zammit, who was presented with the Player of the Month award for January before the match. Kerygma crept back in the game in the latter stages, and after personal points by Renette Debono, it was Josette Calleja with her third trey, By that time the Paolites had built up a 69-35 advantage, to go into the last quarter with a sure knowledge of a good win. Kerygma were still hammered in the last session, as Doreen Parnis made three hoops in a row, and Bezzina and Desira followed up with more points. In between Calleja managed to net her fourth trey. Hibs' subs also had a good run in this quarter, getting in amongst the scorers, as the champions now look towards the final and a third successive honour.
KERYGMA: 22 Josette Calleja
HIBS: 25 Lucienne Bezzina, 20 Doreen Parnis, 14 Maria Desira, 10 Beverlee Zammit REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro
Hibs Medsea 89 – Kerygma 43
(28-17, 50-26, 69-35)
Hibernians Medsea kisbu l-ewwel post fil-finali ta’ din il-kompetizzjoni meta, wara li kienu ghelbu lil Luxol 59-38, huma warrbu l-isfida ta’ Kerygma b’distakk finali kbir ta’ 46 punt. Kerygma, li fir-round ta’ qabel kienu ghlebu b’certu facilita lil SN Suns 77-22, zammew pass mill-vicin fl-ewwel perjodu.
Huam kienu f’parita 101-0 kmieni fil-loghba wara 3-pointer minn Moira Caruana u punti minn Josette Calleja izda bil-mod il-mod Hibs bdew izidu fil-vantagg fejn it-trio Lucienne Bezzina, Doreen Parnis u Maria Desira qasmu bejniethom xejn inqas minn 25 punt minn 28 ta’ l-ewwel perjodu.
Meta Hibs bdew it-tieni perjodu b’7 punti minghajr risposta, aktar beda jidher car fejn kienet sejra r-rebha bil-puntegg ikun 50-26 fil-mistrieh b’Caroline Fenech tikseb l-ahar tliet punti tat-taqsima ghar-rebbieha. Fl-ewwel minuti tat-tieni taqisma Hibs kisbu break massimu tal-loghba ta’ 15-il punt konskeuttiv b’Beverly Zammit tippottja seba’ punti wara xulxin.
Fl-ahhar hinijiet Hisb komplew juru supremazija sabiex ghaddew ghall-finali.
Hibs: C. fenech 8, B. zammit 10, F. Bianco 6, L. Bezzina 25, F. Tabone, M. Desira 14, D. parnis 20, S. Debono, S. Micallef 2, M. Cutajar 4.
Kerygma: C. Scicluna, A. agius, J. Calleja 22, L. Cauchi 3, C. Spiteri, E. Cutajar 2, M. Caruana 3, M. Borg 2, R. Debono 6, A. Farrugia, A. Busuttil 5.
Refs: Emmanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro
BOV K.O. Women Semi final
Depiro 70 Sliema Wanderers 36
(19-7)(20-10)(13-13)(18-6)
Depiro will be Hibs' opponents in the K.O. final, after overcoming Sliema in a game which seemed to be getting out of hand, before settling down in a foul strewn match, which held up play for some time.
Depiro's long run in the first session was enough to guarantee them a lead till the end of the match, as Sliema only had Leanne Sciberras on a par, to threaten their defence. It was a slow game at the start, with Depiro replying twice to Sliema's opening hoop. Sciberras' free shots and Michela Loporto gave Sliema an unexpected 7-4 lead, but then Sliema were shut out for the rest of the session, as Joselle Cardona marshalled her side to a 15-0 run, as Depiro went clear. In the second quarter Sliema were still being penned back.
A 10-2 run for Depiro, with an opening Sarah Pace trey, extended their lead, with Sciberras trying to organise Sliema's reply. Depiro couldn't be held back, as Raquel Camenzuli ment on court and put in her hoops, including a trey, and being ably helped by Sarah Pace.
As Depiro's lead soared their bench players went on court, and Sliema were given a little respite. At the interval Depiro were leading 39-17. After the break the play was shoddy at both ends. Sliema replied to depiro's points at first, but the Mtarfa side began to dictate play again. Their lead didn't improve, however, as Sciberras was still spearheading Sliema's efforts to match their opponents. Rachel Camilleri was on hand at the other end, to keep Depiro comfortably ahead, and after three sessions they were 52-30 in front.
In the final quarter Abigail Sciberras' free shots improved Depiro's lead, before Sciberras showed up again, midway through the session. Greta zarb and Sarah Pace pierced Sliema's zone several times, to enhance Depiro's performance, making the double over Sliema, improving on their winning margin from the first match.
DEPIRO: 17 Sarah Pace, 13 Rachel Camilleri, 10 Joselle Cardona, 10 Greta Zarb
SLIEMA: 22 Leanne Sciberras
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani
Depiro 70 – Sliema Wanderers 36
(19-7, 39-17, 52-30)
Fl-ahhar loghba fi tmiem il-gimgha Depiro nghaqdu mar-rivali Hibs fil-finali tal-BOV Knock-Out wara li kisbu success fuq it-team zaghzugh ta’ Sliema.
Kienu Sliema li fehtu precizi meta marru 7-4 minn fuq biz-zaghzugha promettenti Leanne Sciberras kif ukoll Michela Loporto protagonisti. Madankollu minn hawn sa tmiem l-ewwel perjodu Depiro hadu r-riedni tal-loghob f’idejhom u kisbu xejn inqas minn hmistax-il punt minghajr risposta b’Joselle cardona tikseb erba’ baskets waqt li Greta Zarb kellha zewg basketa ohra. B’Cardona u Sarah Pace jiksbu l-punti,
Depiro komplew ziedu l-vantagg kmieni fit-tieni perjodu ghal 26-7. Aktar tard fil-perjodu Sliema kisbu xi punti, l-aktar minn Sciberras, izda Depiro rrispondew permezz ta’ Raquel Camenzuli. It-tielet perjodu kien l-aktar bilancjat tant li ntemm 13-13. Depiro, li ghaddew ghal din il-loghba wara rebha minima ta’ 45-44 fuq Loyola, setghu iserhu rashom fuq vantagg ta’ 22-il punt li gawdew fil-mistrieh u ghalihom kienet Rachel Camilleri l-aktar preciza f’dan il-perjodu bi tliet baksets u erba’ free-shots.
Ghal Sliema, li fil-kampjonat kienu tilfu 43-49 kontra l-istess Depiro, Sciberras ziedet 8 punti ohra waqt li l-koppja Chanel galea u Francesca Farrugia kellhom zewg free throws rispettivi. Erba’ free throws wara xulxin ta’ Depiro minn Abigail Sciberras taw bidu ghall-ahhar perjodu li matulu Depiro regghu ziedu d-distakk b’Pace u Zarb jikkombinaw sitt baskets bejniethom.
Depiro: R. Camenzuli 7, C. Riolo 3, S. Pace 17, J. Cardona 10, R. Camilelri 13, A. Sciberras 8, E. Vella, R. Spiteri 2, G. Zarb 10.
Sliema: S. Tabone 4, A. Grixti, L. Calleja 1, L. Sciberras 22, M. Azzopardi, M. Loporto 4, D. McKeon, C. Galea 2, F. Farrugia 3, J. Lentini, S. Vella Bonnici.
Refs: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani
Men's 2 Div. League
Mosta 67 Loyola Xuereb Installations 66
(after overtime) (6-15)(11-10)(25-14)(16-19) - (9-8)
This prelude to the K.O. final, two weeks further on, proved to be an interesting one. What with scrappy play, constant bickering, a good number of treys, rallies on both sides, and to top it all, overtime to decide the result.
The two teams stayed close enough to each other, to force the match till the very end, as Mosta managed to squeeze a victory, their second one this season in overtime. Mosta had Simon Schembri missing , and Steve Gouder was abroad once again.
Loyola had Keith Galea and gary Micallef out of the line up. Mosta were disorganised at the start, and Loyola made most of the occasion, as they established a 9-2 opening run, with Jonathan ransley working well under the boards.
Mosta recovered through new entry, Mark Spiteri, but Sascha Saakian was already foul hit. Clint Grixti restored Loyola's lead till the end of the session. In the second quarter Mosta rallied well, and a 7-0 opening run, with a Mark Spiteri trey, cut down Loyola's lead to a mere basket.
Mosta then began to shoot on sight. and Loyola didn't take long to go back to their oroginal lead. Till the end of the session mosta first drew near again, helped by a Ray Muscat trey, but Loyola's Jean falzon sank a lsat second trey, for a 25-17 score.
After the break Adrian Pace made an instant impact for Mosta, with his entry on court. In the first minutes he made all the points in an 11-4 run, including a trio of treys, as his side went to just a point down. Loyola didn't recover and Mosta made another 7-0 run with another Pace trey, to lead 36-30.
In the latter stages Loyola staged a rally, with an 8-0 run, and a Joe Vella trey, which was neutralised by Mosta's 6-1 break, and yet another Pace trey. Mosta led 42-39 after three sessions.
The fourth quarter saw Loyla regaining their lead, but lost it immediately, to trail 43-48. Trevor Grech's points, with a trey, tied the score. Loyola then twice went in front, but were overhauled by Mosta, and Saakian's free shots pushed them ahead. Loyola saved the match through Ransley, to force extra time. Mosta twice went in front, onlu for Loyola to tie the score. Ray Muscat's free throws then were enough, despite Loyola's frantic efforts to stop the clock and reach their opponents. loyola did have a last second opportunity, but the ball bounced off the rim, and Mosta consolidated their second place, with their fourth win.
MOSTA: 20 Adrian Pace, 13 ray muscat, 13 Mark Spiteri, 13 sascha Saakian
LOYOLA: 17 Jonathan Ransley, 11 Clint Grixti
REFEREES: Jean Paul Sammut, Anthony Micallef
Mosta 67 – Loyola Xuereb Installations 66
(6-15, 17-25, 42-39, 58-58)
Mosta ghelbu lil Loyola wara l-hin barrani biex rregistraw ir-raba rebha fil-kampjonat u zammew kuntatt mill-vicin mal-leaders Mellieha fit-tentativ taghhom li jaghlqu l-istagun regolari fl-ewwel post u b’hekk jiltaqghu kontra r-raba’ team iklassifikat meta jibdew il-play-offs.
Dawn iz-zewg nahat kienu diga ltaqghu fl-ewwel round meta dakinhar mosta kienu rebhu 77-65 waqt li fil-loghob tas-Shield, l-istess Mosta kienu hargu rebbieha 76-69. Loyola kienu aktar precizi fl-ewwel taqisma tant li dahlu jistriehu 25-17 minn fuq. Huma rregistraw break ta’ 7-0 (b’zewg baskets minn Jonathan Ransley) fl-ewwel minuti tal-konfront u punti lejn tmiem l-ewwel perjodu minn Clint Grixti poggew lit-team imexxi minn Duncan Cilia 15-6 minn fuq.
Hames punti minn Mark Spiteri (li kellu 9 punti fl-ewwel taqsima) resqu lil Mosta momentarjament 13-15 minn taht, izda Loyola ma damux ma jergghu jifthu distakk zghir meta Jean Falzon kien preciz. It-tielet perjodu kellhom ghaxar minuti li fihom spikka l-guard ta’ Mosta Adrian Pace. Dan il-player kien ferm strumentali sabiex Mosta mhux biss jirbhu l-perjodu 25-14 imma sahansitra jaghlqu l-istess perjodu tliet punti minn fuq, 42-39. Pace kiseb xejn inqas minn 19-il punt (inkluz hames 3-pointers) f’dan il-perjodu, punti li kienu ferm bzonnjuzi sabiex Mosta jergghu jghollu l-moral.
Fl-ahhar perjodu Mosta u Loyola bdew ieigbu lil xulxin sabiex zewg minuti minn tmiem il-hin regolamentari Mosta kienu 57-53 minn fuq wara erba’ punti konsekutitvi minn Sassoun Saakian. Loyola zammew it-tamiet hajjin hekk kif Michel Farrugia kiseb zewg free throws u ftit wara kien Clayton agius li zied punt iehor. Fuq in-naha opposta Pace ppottja free-throw minn tnejn ghal skor ta’ 58-56 izda kien Ransley li sforza l-hin barrani ghal Loyola.
Il-parita bejn iz-zewg nahat baqghet evidenti san of sil-hin barrani ghal 63-63 izda hawn Ray Muscat qam ghall-okkazjoni u kiseb tliet freethrows wara xulxin (huwa kiseb 8 mid-disa’ punti ta’ Mosta fil-hin barrani). Ghalkemm Loyola resqu ferm vicin b’Farrugia jikseb zewg free-shots ohra ghal 66-67, il-horn tal-hin barrani daqq bil-Mostin jiksbu r-rebha b’Loyola ifallu l-ahhar tentattiv taghhom. Dawn iz-zewg nahat issa jergghu jiltagqhu fi ftit granet fil-final tal-kompetizzjoni Knock-Out ta’ din il-kategorija.
Mosta: R. Abela 2, M. Bonnici 1, K. Bnici, A. Pace 20, R. Muscat 13, O. Sammut 1, M. Spiteri 13, L. Deguara, S. Saakian 13, J. Micallef 4.
Loyola: M. Farrugia 7, J. Vella 3, J. Falzon 5, C. Agius 3, J. Vassallo 4, T. Grech 7, B. Soler, P. Lentini 1, C. Grixti 11, J. Ransley 17, G. Coleiro 8.
Refs: Jean Paul Sammut, Anthony Micallef
Kerygma 43 Hibs Medsea 89
(17-28)(9-22)(9-19)(8-20)
The champions strode into the final, which they consider their own, having won it in the last seven seasons, and for eleven times in the last fifteen years. It was also their fourth seasonal victory over Kerygma, who are doing quite well this season, having also registered prestigious wins over more quoted opponents.
Hibs are showing their class these days, and are putting all opponents under intense pressure. The Paolites opened up with their flowing play, easily obtaining points, although Kerygma has their fair share of the game, also netting a couple of treys, by Josette Calleja and Moira caruana.
At the other end Lucienne Bezzina, Maria desira and Doreen Parnis were piling up the points for Hibs, and they had already gone into a double figure lead. In the second quarter the Paolites tightened up their defence, and Kerygma found it harder to obtain points, though Calleja put in her second trey.
The champions started introducing their bench players, but their play was still strong, and Bezzina and Caroline Fenech were in the forefront, as the half century was reached at the interval, with Hibs leading 50-26.
After the break the champions put in a 15-0 run, mostly through Beverlee Zammit, who was presented with the Player of the Month award for January before the match. Kerygma crept back in the game in the latter stages, and after personal points by Renette Debono, it was Josette Calleja with her third trey, By that time the Paolites had built up a 69-35 advantage, to go into the last quarter with a sure knowledge of a good win. Kerygma were still hammered in the last session, as Doreen Parnis made three hoops in a row, and Bezzina and Desira followed up with more points. In between Calleja managed to net her fourth trey. Hibs' subs also had a good run in this quarter, getting in amongst the scorers, as the champions now look towards the final and a third successive honour.
KERYGMA: 22 Josette Calleja
HIBS: 25 Lucienne Bezzina, 20 Doreen Parnis, 14 Maria Desira, 10 Beverlee Zammit REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro
Hibs Medsea 89 – Kerygma 43
(28-17, 50-26, 69-35)
Hibernians Medsea kisbu l-ewwel post fil-finali ta’ din il-kompetizzjoni meta, wara li kienu ghelbu lil Luxol 59-38, huma warrbu l-isfida ta’ Kerygma b’distakk finali kbir ta’ 46 punt. Kerygma, li fir-round ta’ qabel kienu ghlebu b’certu facilita lil SN Suns 77-22, zammew pass mill-vicin fl-ewwel perjodu.
Huam kienu f’parita 101-0 kmieni fil-loghba wara 3-pointer minn Moira Caruana u punti minn Josette Calleja izda bil-mod il-mod Hibs bdew izidu fil-vantagg fejn it-trio Lucienne Bezzina, Doreen Parnis u Maria Desira qasmu bejniethom xejn inqas minn 25 punt minn 28 ta’ l-ewwel perjodu.
Meta Hibs bdew it-tieni perjodu b’7 punti minghajr risposta, aktar beda jidher car fejn kienet sejra r-rebha bil-puntegg ikun 50-26 fil-mistrieh b’Caroline Fenech tikseb l-ahar tliet punti tat-taqsima ghar-rebbieha. Fl-ewwel minuti tat-tieni taqisma Hibs kisbu break massimu tal-loghba ta’ 15-il punt konskeuttiv b’Beverly Zammit tippottja seba’ punti wara xulxin.
Fl-ahhar hinijiet Hisb komplew juru supremazija sabiex ghaddew ghall-finali.
Hibs: C. fenech 8, B. zammit 10, F. Bianco 6, L. Bezzina 25, F. Tabone, M. Desira 14, D. parnis 20, S. Debono, S. Micallef 2, M. Cutajar 4.
Kerygma: C. Scicluna, A. agius, J. Calleja 22, L. Cauchi 3, C. Spiteri, E. Cutajar 2, M. Caruana 3, M. Borg 2, R. Debono 6, A. Farrugia, A. Busuttil 5.
Refs: Emmanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro
BOV K.O. Women Semi final
Depiro 70 Sliema Wanderers 36
(19-7)(20-10)(13-13)(18-6)
Depiro will be Hibs' opponents in the K.O. final, after overcoming Sliema in a game which seemed to be getting out of hand, before settling down in a foul strewn match, which held up play for some time.
Depiro's long run in the first session was enough to guarantee them a lead till the end of the match, as Sliema only had Leanne Sciberras on a par, to threaten their defence. It was a slow game at the start, with Depiro replying twice to Sliema's opening hoop. Sciberras' free shots and Michela Loporto gave Sliema an unexpected 7-4 lead, but then Sliema were shut out for the rest of the session, as Joselle Cardona marshalled her side to a 15-0 run, as Depiro went clear. In the second quarter Sliema were still being penned back.
A 10-2 run for Depiro, with an opening Sarah Pace trey, extended their lead, with Sciberras trying to organise Sliema's reply. Depiro couldn't be held back, as Raquel Camenzuli ment on court and put in her hoops, including a trey, and being ably helped by Sarah Pace.
As Depiro's lead soared their bench players went on court, and Sliema were given a little respite. At the interval Depiro were leading 39-17. After the break the play was shoddy at both ends. Sliema replied to depiro's points at first, but the Mtarfa side began to dictate play again. Their lead didn't improve, however, as Sciberras was still spearheading Sliema's efforts to match their opponents. Rachel Camilleri was on hand at the other end, to keep Depiro comfortably ahead, and after three sessions they were 52-30 in front.
In the final quarter Abigail Sciberras' free shots improved Depiro's lead, before Sciberras showed up again, midway through the session. Greta zarb and Sarah Pace pierced Sliema's zone several times, to enhance Depiro's performance, making the double over Sliema, improving on their winning margin from the first match.
DEPIRO: 17 Sarah Pace, 13 Rachel Camilleri, 10 Joselle Cardona, 10 Greta Zarb
SLIEMA: 22 Leanne Sciberras
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani
Depiro 70 – Sliema Wanderers 36
(19-7, 39-17, 52-30)
Fl-ahhar loghba fi tmiem il-gimgha Depiro nghaqdu mar-rivali Hibs fil-finali tal-BOV Knock-Out wara li kisbu success fuq it-team zaghzugh ta’ Sliema.
Kienu Sliema li fehtu precizi meta marru 7-4 minn fuq biz-zaghzugha promettenti Leanne Sciberras kif ukoll Michela Loporto protagonisti. Madankollu minn hawn sa tmiem l-ewwel perjodu Depiro hadu r-riedni tal-loghob f’idejhom u kisbu xejn inqas minn hmistax-il punt minghajr risposta b’Joselle cardona tikseb erba’ baskets waqt li Greta Zarb kellha zewg basketa ohra. B’Cardona u Sarah Pace jiksbu l-punti,
Depiro komplew ziedu l-vantagg kmieni fit-tieni perjodu ghal 26-7. Aktar tard fil-perjodu Sliema kisbu xi punti, l-aktar minn Sciberras, izda Depiro rrispondew permezz ta’ Raquel Camenzuli. It-tielet perjodu kien l-aktar bilancjat tant li ntemm 13-13. Depiro, li ghaddew ghal din il-loghba wara rebha minima ta’ 45-44 fuq Loyola, setghu iserhu rashom fuq vantagg ta’ 22-il punt li gawdew fil-mistrieh u ghalihom kienet Rachel Camilleri l-aktar preciza f’dan il-perjodu bi tliet baksets u erba’ free-shots.
Ghal Sliema, li fil-kampjonat kienu tilfu 43-49 kontra l-istess Depiro, Sciberras ziedet 8 punti ohra waqt li l-koppja Chanel galea u Francesca Farrugia kellhom zewg free throws rispettivi. Erba’ free throws wara xulxin ta’ Depiro minn Abigail Sciberras taw bidu ghall-ahhar perjodu li matulu Depiro regghu ziedu d-distakk b’Pace u Zarb jikkombinaw sitt baskets bejniethom.
Depiro: R. Camenzuli 7, C. Riolo 3, S. Pace 17, J. Cardona 10, R. Camilelri 13, A. Sciberras 8, E. Vella, R. Spiteri 2, G. Zarb 10.
Sliema: S. Tabone 4, A. Grixti, L. Calleja 1, L. Sciberras 22, M. Azzopardi, M. Loporto 4, D. McKeon, C. Galea 2, F. Farrugia 3, J. Lentini, S. Vella Bonnici.
Refs: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani
Men's 2 Div. League
Mosta 67 Loyola Xuereb Installations 66
(after overtime) (6-15)(11-10)(25-14)(16-19) - (9-8)
This prelude to the K.O. final, two weeks further on, proved to be an interesting one. What with scrappy play, constant bickering, a good number of treys, rallies on both sides, and to top it all, overtime to decide the result.
The two teams stayed close enough to each other, to force the match till the very end, as Mosta managed to squeeze a victory, their second one this season in overtime. Mosta had Simon Schembri missing , and Steve Gouder was abroad once again.
Loyola had Keith Galea and gary Micallef out of the line up. Mosta were disorganised at the start, and Loyola made most of the occasion, as they established a 9-2 opening run, with Jonathan ransley working well under the boards.
Mosta recovered through new entry, Mark Spiteri, but Sascha Saakian was already foul hit. Clint Grixti restored Loyola's lead till the end of the session. In the second quarter Mosta rallied well, and a 7-0 opening run, with a Mark Spiteri trey, cut down Loyola's lead to a mere basket.
Mosta then began to shoot on sight. and Loyola didn't take long to go back to their oroginal lead. Till the end of the session mosta first drew near again, helped by a Ray Muscat trey, but Loyola's Jean falzon sank a lsat second trey, for a 25-17 score.
After the break Adrian Pace made an instant impact for Mosta, with his entry on court. In the first minutes he made all the points in an 11-4 run, including a trio of treys, as his side went to just a point down. Loyola didn't recover and Mosta made another 7-0 run with another Pace trey, to lead 36-30.
In the latter stages Loyola staged a rally, with an 8-0 run, and a Joe Vella trey, which was neutralised by Mosta's 6-1 break, and yet another Pace trey. Mosta led 42-39 after three sessions.
The fourth quarter saw Loyla regaining their lead, but lost it immediately, to trail 43-48. Trevor Grech's points, with a trey, tied the score. Loyola then twice went in front, but were overhauled by Mosta, and Saakian's free shots pushed them ahead. Loyola saved the match through Ransley, to force extra time. Mosta twice went in front, onlu for Loyola to tie the score. Ray Muscat's free throws then were enough, despite Loyola's frantic efforts to stop the clock and reach their opponents. loyola did have a last second opportunity, but the ball bounced off the rim, and Mosta consolidated their second place, with their fourth win.
MOSTA: 20 Adrian Pace, 13 ray muscat, 13 Mark Spiteri, 13 sascha Saakian
LOYOLA: 17 Jonathan Ransley, 11 Clint Grixti
REFEREES: Jean Paul Sammut, Anthony Micallef
Mosta 67 – Loyola Xuereb Installations 66
(6-15, 17-25, 42-39, 58-58)
Mosta ghelbu lil Loyola wara l-hin barrani biex rregistraw ir-raba rebha fil-kampjonat u zammew kuntatt mill-vicin mal-leaders Mellieha fit-tentativ taghhom li jaghlqu l-istagun regolari fl-ewwel post u b’hekk jiltaqghu kontra r-raba’ team iklassifikat meta jibdew il-play-offs.
Dawn iz-zewg nahat kienu diga ltaqghu fl-ewwel round meta dakinhar mosta kienu rebhu 77-65 waqt li fil-loghob tas-Shield, l-istess Mosta kienu hargu rebbieha 76-69. Loyola kienu aktar precizi fl-ewwel taqisma tant li dahlu jistriehu 25-17 minn fuq. Huma rregistraw break ta’ 7-0 (b’zewg baskets minn Jonathan Ransley) fl-ewwel minuti tal-konfront u punti lejn tmiem l-ewwel perjodu minn Clint Grixti poggew lit-team imexxi minn Duncan Cilia 15-6 minn fuq.
Hames punti minn Mark Spiteri (li kellu 9 punti fl-ewwel taqsima) resqu lil Mosta momentarjament 13-15 minn taht, izda Loyola ma damux ma jergghu jifthu distakk zghir meta Jean Falzon kien preciz. It-tielet perjodu kellhom ghaxar minuti li fihom spikka l-guard ta’ Mosta Adrian Pace. Dan il-player kien ferm strumentali sabiex Mosta mhux biss jirbhu l-perjodu 25-14 imma sahansitra jaghlqu l-istess perjodu tliet punti minn fuq, 42-39. Pace kiseb xejn inqas minn 19-il punt (inkluz hames 3-pointers) f’dan il-perjodu, punti li kienu ferm bzonnjuzi sabiex Mosta jergghu jghollu l-moral.
Fl-ahhar perjodu Mosta u Loyola bdew ieigbu lil xulxin sabiex zewg minuti minn tmiem il-hin regolamentari Mosta kienu 57-53 minn fuq wara erba’ punti konsekutitvi minn Sassoun Saakian. Loyola zammew it-tamiet hajjin hekk kif Michel Farrugia kiseb zewg free throws u ftit wara kien Clayton agius li zied punt iehor. Fuq in-naha opposta Pace ppottja free-throw minn tnejn ghal skor ta’ 58-56 izda kien Ransley li sforza l-hin barrani ghal Loyola.
Il-parita bejn iz-zewg nahat baqghet evidenti san of sil-hin barrani ghal 63-63 izda hawn Ray Muscat qam ghall-okkazjoni u kiseb tliet freethrows wara xulxin (huwa kiseb 8 mid-disa’ punti ta’ Mosta fil-hin barrani). Ghalkemm Loyola resqu ferm vicin b’Farrugia jikseb zewg free-shots ohra ghal 66-67, il-horn tal-hin barrani daqq bil-Mostin jiksbu r-rebha b’Loyola ifallu l-ahhar tentattiv taghhom. Dawn iz-zewg nahat issa jergghu jiltagqhu fi ftit granet fil-final tal-kompetizzjoni Knock-Out ta’ din il-kategorija.
Mosta: R. Abela 2, M. Bonnici 1, K. Bnici, A. Pace 20, R. Muscat 13, O. Sammut 1, M. Spiteri 13, L. Deguara, S. Saakian 13, J. Micallef 4.
Loyola: M. Farrugia 7, J. Vella 3, J. Falzon 5, C. Agius 3, J. Vassallo 4, T. Grech 7, B. Soler, P. Lentini 1, C. Grixti 11, J. Ransley 17, G. Coleiro 8.
Refs: Jean Paul Sammut, Anthony Micallef
