Last weekend’s BOV Men’s Division One action delivered a mix of impressive performances and nail-biting finishes.
Starlites JSD stole the show with a commanding victory over SiGMA Depiro, while Valletta Lions held off a spirited Athleta AtoZ comeback to edge their clash.
Meanwhile, Hibernians showcased their depth with a youthful line-up securing an impressive win over Tigers BT.
STARLITES JSD 78
SIGMA DEPIRO 55
(13-21, 17-6, 21-17, 27-11)
Starlites were in full control as they stormed to victory over Depiro, with Max Curran and Trevon Reddish Rhone combining for 39 points.
The game saw Depiro start brightly, led by Sean Galea’s early fast-break layup and Dominic Tomasi’s three-pointer.
However, Starlites quickly fought for control, with Curran’s efficient scoring and offensive rebounding establishing an 11-5 lead by midway through the first quarter.
Starlites maintained their grip in the second quarter, with Reddish’s layups and fadeaway jump shots complementing Curran’s clinical finishing.
By half-time, Starlites led 30-27, thanks to strong defensive adjustments and their ability to capitalise on turnovers.
After the break, the Malta champions extended their lead as Curran dominated in the paint and Reddish added a highlight-reel dunk.
Despite Depiro’s Miguel Brincat contributing from beyond the three-point arc, the Starlites’ balanced scoring from Matthew Scerri and Kolten Mortensen ensured a 51-44 advantage heading into the fourth.
The final quarter was all Starlites. Scerri’s back-to-back three-pointers and Reddish’s energetic drives pushed the lead beyond reach.
Depiro’s early promise faded, as they struggled to contain Starlites’ relentless pace and depth.
STARLITES JSD M. Curran 19, J. Davis 4, A. Aquilina, K. Fabri 4, I. Felice Pace 20, M. Fabri 1, L. Riolo, M. Scerri 9, L. Farrugia 3, K. Xuereb, K. Mortensen 8, T. Reddish Rhone 20.
SIGMA DEPIRO S. Galea 9, D. Bugeja 2, N. Bozovic 7, L. Stefanovic 2, A. Trapani, D. Tomasi 12, M. Brincat 9, C. Cornelius 12, M. Debattista 2.
Referees B. Vassallo, N. Azzopardi, F. Ciurariu.
VALLETTA LIONS 74
ATHLETA ATOZ 71
(23-12, 15-16, 19-16, 17-27)
In a closely contested affair, Valletta overcame Athleta, with Piotr Stelmach delivering a standout 37-point performance against his former team.
Stelmach, who joined Valletta from Athleta over the summer alongside Francesco Mifsud Bonnici, was pivotal in ensuring his side’s narrow win.
Valletta controlled the first quarter, racing to a 23-12 lead through Stelmach’s dominance in the paint and efficient free-throw shooting.
Eric Terry added crucial second-chance points, while Lorenzo Anderson’s driving layups exemplified Valletta’s fast-break prowess.
Athleta responded in the second quarter, with Kurt James leading their comeback.
James scored consistently in the paint and at the free-throw line, finishing with 30 points overall after another top-drawer showing.
However, Valletta’s depth proved decisive as Stelmach and Anderson extended the lead to 38-28 by halftime.
The third quarter saw Athleta’s Maxwell Amoafo, making his debut, contribute with a hook shot and defensive presence.
Despite a late surge from James and Caleb Matthews, Valletta entered the final quarter leading 57-44.
Athleta staged a spirited rally in the final quarter, with Matthews hitting shot from the line and Luca Borg draining a three-pointer to bring the game to 73-71 with seconds remaining.
However, Anderson’s calm free throws sealed the win for Valletta, leaving Athleta to rue their slow start.
VALLETTA LIONS N. Grech 3, L. Anderson 16, F. Mifsud Bonnici 2, A. Attard, P. Stelmach 37, D. Schembri, S. Vincic, E. Terry 16.
ATHLETA ATOZ B. Zammit, R. Vitale, C. Matthews 22, I. Xuereb, K. James 30, A. Bozanic 2, L. Borg 7, J. Garcia Cefai 2, M. Amoafo 5, G. Cassar 3.
Referees B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, N. Azzopardi.
TIGERS BT 81
HIBERNIANS 104
(14-32, 18-23, 19-29, 30-20)
Hibernians, resting their import players and local foreigner Ivan Demcesen, showcased their squad depth with a commanding win over Tigers BT.
Coach Christian Narciso handed extended minutes to his younger players, who repaid the faith with an assured performance.
The Tigers, missing their own import Matthew Brown, struggled to match Hibernians’ pace and energy.
Hibernians dominated the first quarter, with Matthew Gouder scoring nine early points and Neil Cassar adding a highlight-reel dunk.
By the end of the quarter, Hibernians led 32-14, capitalising on turnovers and fast breaks.
Tigers attempted a fightback in the second quarter, with Keith Micaller and Jhun Jhun Lisondra scoring from mid-range and the free-throw line.
However, Hibernians’ balanced approach, highlighted by Gouder and Matthew Attard’s consistent scoring, maintained their advantage at 55-32 at the half.
The third quarter saw Hibernians extend their lead further, with Cassar adding two powerful dunks and Gouder dominating inside.
Despite a strong showing from Tigers’ Serge Hamparsoumian in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points in the final period, the result was never in doubt.
TIGERS BT D. Pisani 11, E. Masilungan 6, S. Hamparsoumian 23, K. Micaller 23, M. Jalkh, J. Lisondra 14, S. Saakian 4, D. Militello.
HIBERNIANS N. Cassar 19, P. Attard 2, L. Attard 9, V. Kustudja 6, A. Axiaq 6, M. Gouder 21, M. Attard 21, T. Gjurovski 7, M. Mallia 9, S. Simic 4.
Referees G. Barbara, Z. Dobrosaviljevic, W. Lim.
STANDINGS
Hibernians 8; SiGMA Depiro, Valletta Lions 5; Luxol Sherries Estates, AtoZ Athleta, Starlites JSD 4; Tigers BT 3.
