Athleta and Luxol bounce back for first win in John Tabone Shield

The John Tabone Men's Shield continued on Sunday at the Ta' Qali Pavilion, with Athleta AtoZ and Luxol Sherries Estates securing victories over Valletta Lions and The Plaza Depiro respectively in an entertaining afternoon of basketball.

ATHLETA ATOZ 94

VALLETTA LIONS 85

(21-19, 17-23, 28-19, 28-24)

Michael Naudi claimed his first victory as Athleta coach as his side came from behind to beat Valletta. Athleta outscored the Citizens 56-43 in the second half, having trailed by as many as 13 points during the second quarter.

Akili Evans led Athleta with 25 points, while Daniel Mayfield, Nathan Xuereb and Sebastian Pace each scored 20, giving Athleta four players with at least 20 points. Valletta's Tamer Habash (192-SF-1992) led all scorers with 28 points, followed by Kieron Brown with 17.

The result marked Naudi's first win in his second game since taking charge over the summer, following an opening defeat to Starlites Naxxar. Meanwhile, Harry Savaya's new-look Valletta side will be hoping to take the positives from a closely contested first outing.

Valletta fielded several summer signings, including former Starlites duo Kurt Xuereb and Andrew Aquilina, former Depiro player Kieron Caruana and Luke Farrugia, who joined from Hibernians. Piotr Stelmach also returned to the Capital club after a season away at Hibs, on Sunday facing the club where his Maltese basketball career began
The first quarter was closely fought, with Evans and Mayfield helping Athleta take an early five-point lead. Valletta fought back through Habash and Aquilina three-pointers before further triples from Farrugia and Stelmach gave Savaya's side a five-point advantage.

However, Pace brought Athleta back into the game with five straight points before two late baskets from Matthew Sammut gave Athleta a two-point lead at the end of the opening rubber.

Valletta then took charge with a 12-0 run to start the second quarter, as Habash and Aquilina continued to strike from beyond the arc to open a ten-point lead.

Savaya's side stretched the gap to 13 points after baskets from Brown and Kurt Xuereb, but Athleta began to fight back. Mayfield scored twice from offensive rebounds before Nathan Xuereb and Isaac Bonett added further points, helping Athleta cut the deficit to 42-38 at half-time.

The third quarter saw both teams traded baskets, with Habash hitting three shots from deep to keep the Citizens ahead.

However, Evans soon took control, scoring eight straight points to turn a three-point deficit into a five-point lead. Mayfield then added another basket as Athleta entered the final quarter with a five-point advantage.

Athleta carried that form into the fourth quarter, with Nathan Xuereb, Pace and Evans helping stretch their lead to 89-73.

Valletta refused to give up, however, as Habash led a late 10-0 run to cut the deficit to six points.

Despite the late pressure, Athleta held firm from the free-throw line to seal their first win of the campaign.

ATHLETA ATOZ A. Evans 25, S. Pace 20, I. Bonett 4, N. Xuereb 20, L. Borg, D. Mayfield 20, M. Sammut 5.

VALLETTA LIONS T. Habash 28, K. Xuereb 8, F. Mifsud Bonnici 6, L. Farrugia 3, A. Aquilina 9, K. Caruana 6, S. Vincic, P. Stelmach 8, K. Brown 17.

Referees: G. Barbara, N. Rincon, J. Siefert.

LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES 77

THE PLAZA DEPIRO 67

(18-17, 27-15, 14-18, 18-17)

Luxol claimed their first victory in the Shield with a 10-point win over Depiro, as Peter Shoults' side bounced back from their opening defeat to Hibernians on Day One.

Josiah Fulcher (193-G-2001, college: MACU) led the Violets with 29 points, including five three-pointers, while Andres Burney added 13 points. Fulcher proved vital throughout the contest, with his shooting helping Luxol build a sizeable lead and fend off Depiro's second-half comeback.

At the other end, Trevon Reddish led the Mtarfa side with 27 points and nine rebounds, finishing just one rebound short of a double-double. Sean Galea followed with 15 points, while Nikola Bozovic and Alessio Trapani each contributed 10.

The match also marked Sandro Farrugia's first game as Depiro coach following his summer move from Athleta, with his new side looking to make a positive start to the season.

The opening quarter was closely contested, with both teams trading baskets in the early stages. Reddish and Bozovic helped Depiro establish a five-point lead before Burney free throws and a Fulcher three-pointer brought Luxol level.

Depiro regained a four-point advantage through Galea and Trapani layups, but Fulcher responded with five unanswered points, including a late three-pointer, to give Luxol a slender one-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Shoults' clan then took control with an 11-0 run to start the second quarter. Nikola Djakovic scored seven points during that spell, while Fulcher and Michael Iluobe added further baskets to open a 12-point lead. The Violets continued to pull away, with Fulcher hitting two more three-pointers as Luxol stretched their advantage to 20 points.

However, Depiro fought back in the closing stages through Reddish and Adam Mchala, reducing the deficit to 45-32 at halftime.

Despite Beppe Debono and Fulcher combining for five points early after the change of ends, Depiro carried their momentum into the third quarter, with Galea hitting two three-pointers as Farrugia's side began to close the gap.

Reddish and Bozovic also chipped in, helping Depiro reduce the deficit to just five points.

But Fulcher once again proved crucial, striking twice from deep to make sure Luxol entered the final quarter with a nine-point advantage.

Depiro refused to give up and opened the fourth quarter with a strong scoring run. Trapani hit two three-pointers, while Reddish added four points to bring his side within a single point at 62-61.

However, Burney took charge when Luxol needed him most. He scored seven points during an 11-2 run as Shoults' side restored their ten-point lead. Depiro struggled to find another response, with Luxol maintaining their advantage in the closing stages to secure their first win of the competition.

LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES J. Fulcher 29, B. Debono 3, E. Fenech Pace, K. Galea 9, G. Mizzi 1, C. Cog 2, M. Iloube 8, A. Burney 13, S. Cappello 5, N. Djakovic 7.

THE PLAZA DEPIRO S. Galea 15, N. Bozovic 10, L. Stefanovic 2, A. Trapani 10, A. Mchala 3, S. Kenely, N. Mifsud, M. Debattista, T. Reddish 27.

Referees: B. Vassallo, Z. Dobrosaviljevic, W. Lim.