Depiro 44
Siggiewi Smina 83
(8-22, 4-21, 15-14, 17-26)
Siggiewi Smina moved closer to claiming a place in the Championship Pool after defeating Depiro to go third in the league standings. Bupa Luxol celebrated their 900th game with victory over Floriana while Compleet IS SW did the double on Mellieha SVS Reflections to maintain second place.
Depiro 44
Siggiewi Smina 83
(8-22, 4-21, 15-14, 17-26)
Siggiewi made amends for their first round defeat to Depiro despite the absence of shooter David Camilleri and pivot Igor Stefanovic.
On the positive side, pivot Albert Spiteri made his first appearance for Siggiewi this season.
Depiro felt the absence of three-pointer shooter Antoine Costa.
Siggiewi were a different side from the first round match, their aggressive defence stifling Depiro's attack.
Improving their shooting percentage from their last outings, Siggiewi took command of the game from the jumpball to build a healthy lead by the end of the first quarter, 22-8.
With Depiro struggling to conclude their attacks, Siggiewi continued to dictate matters and a string of three-pointers gave them a strong 43-12 lead by the end of the second quarter.
Depiro came more into the picture after the interval as Siggiewi drafted in their substitutes but the former could not bridge the gap.
Siggiewi started the last ten minutes 57-27 ahead and remained in cruise control till the final whistle.
Depiro: R. Vella 10, D. Debono, M. Sammut, G. Muscat 4, A. Aquilina, A. Tabone 1, J. Gatt 2, M. Sarsovski 20, E. Lupo 3, M. Mallia, I. Tanti 2, D. Agius 2.
Siggiewi: A. Spiteri, L. Camilleri 14, J. Doughty, A. Portelli 18, I. Mercieca, P. Shoults 12, J.P. Bonnici 8, A. Bonnici 22, J.P. Antoncich, L. Grech, B. Zammit 9.
Refs: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, S. Micallef.
Compleet IS SW 74
Mellieha SVS 52
(19-12, 10-11, 27-14, 18-15)
Compleet IS SW upped the pressure after the interval to increase their lead and thwart Mellieha's attempts at a comeback. Despite having to make do without the injured Michael Naudi and pivot Matthew Zammit, Sliema Wanderers were still too strong for Mellieha for whom Michael Pisani was making a return after missing a couple of matches.
After a balanced opening, Compleet IS obtained nine consecutive points to go 19-12 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Mellieha were having problems in attack as the Sammut brothers were closely marked by Sliema.
After conceding two consecutive baskets, Compleet IS enjoyed another 9-0 run to stretch their lead to 28-16.
Mellieha reacted in the closing minutes to reduce the gap to six points, 29-23.
Any hopes Mellieha had of catching Sliema evaporated in the opening minutes of the third quarter as Compleet IS moved 51-28 ahead.
Mellieha improved towards the end of the game but their efforts were not enough to deny their opponents victory.
Compleet IS SW: J. Zammit 2, C. Calleja 2, E. Bezzina 13, J. Galea, T. Riolo 12, O. Said 10, A. Micallef 15, K. Baldacchino 3, S. Cassar 17, R. Mifsud.
Mellieha: M. Cauchi, J. Naudi 13, C. Sammut 5, S. Aquilina 2, E. Xuereb 1, J. Muscat, M. Pisani 11, J. Aquilina, S. Sammut 5, T. Degiorgio, J. Jetsen 13, R. Loporto 2.
Refs: G. Barbara, S. Micallef, A. Carbonaro.
Bupa Luxol 84
Floriana 55
(23-10, 22-8, 11-12, 28-25)
Luxol marked their 900th game in competitive basketball with victory over bottom-placed Floriana. The Greens were without Gareth Gilson on Sunday.
The opening quarter was dominated by Luxol who easily penetrated Floriana's standstill zone as they raced into a 23-10 lead.
As Floriana failed to improve their shooting, Luxol remained in control. Coach John Tabone started to rotate his players but Luxol were still good enough to change ends 45-18 ahead.
Floriana showed a marked improvement in their play after the interval as Luxol became somewhat sluggish.
Luxol lost the session 11-12 but still started the final 10 minutes with a healthy 26-point lead, 56-30. The standard of play improved in the last 10 minutes as Luxol went on to secure their seventh consecutive league victory with ease.
Floriana had no fewer than three players fouled out in the last minutes, forcing coach Paul Ferrante to enter the fray.
Luxol: M. Mercieca 9, R. Azzopardi 12, A. Borg 3, A. Bianchi 1, M. Bonnici 2, T. Paris 2, D. Schembri 20, E. Caruana Montaldo 2, M. Matijevic 15, S. Schembri 18.
Floriana: N. Falzon 8, J. Tanti 3, P. Ferrante, B. Riolo 5, R. Micallef Trigona 2, S. Saakian 17, A. Sultana 12, K. Borg 8.
Refs: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef, E. Mangani.
Standings: Luxol 14 (7-0), Pembroke 12 (5-2), Siggiewi 11 (4-3), Depiro 10 (3-4), Mellieha 9 (2-5), Floriana 7 (0-7).
Top scorers: M. Matijevic (Luxol) 158; S. Schembri (Luxol) 116; D. Schembri (Luxol) 112; C. Sammut (Mellieha) 106; R. Vella (Depiro) 105.
Gatorade League: (Friday) 7.45 p.m. Mellieha vs Floriana. (Saturday) 4.15 p.m. Compleet IS vs Depiro. (Sunday) 4.15 p.m. Siggiewi vs Luxol.