Luxol gain edge in title race

Bupa Luxol 79
Compleet IS SW 66
(19-11, 18-15, 20-22, 22-18)

BUPA Luxol again had the better of rivals Compleet IS SW to become the first team to secure a place in the Gatorade League final play-offs. In the Relegation Pool, Mellieha SVS Reflections brushed aside Depiro to widen their gap on bottom-placed Floriana.

Bupa Luxol 79
Compleet IS SW 66
(19-11, 18-15, 20-22, 22-18)

Luxol maintained their perfect record in the league after a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions against Compleet IS. Thanks to Sunday's success, Luxol are now sure to contest their fifth final of the season. They already won the MBA Shield and Super Cup.

With both teams unable to reproduce the same thrilling fare that marked their KO semi-final, it was the deadly duo of Marko Matijevic and Dirk Schembri who guided Luxol to victory.

Hampered by the absence of pivot Matthew Zammit, Compleet IS struggled in the opening stages as Luxol potted the first nine points. Joe Galea's men opened their account after the fifth minute through Michael Naudi.

Although playing better, it was still not enough for Compleet IS to apply some pressure on their opponents. Just as the buzzer sounded, Naudi hit a stunning basket from almost his zone to reduce the gap to 19-11.

With the Compleet IS shooters spurning several attacks, it was not that difficult for Luxol to control their advantage until half-time - 37-26.

Compleet looked more aggressive after the interval but their hopes received a setback when Naudi, their most influential player, had to pull out because of injury.

Both teams improved their shooting rate as the game moved on and though Luxol were forced to substitute playmaker Alan Borg, on four fouls, they started the last quarter 57-48 to the good.

Compleet IS's switch to full-court press helped them recover several possessions but Luxol still held sway thanks largely to Matijevic whose baskets paved the way for his team's 12th consecutive victory in the league.

Luxol: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca 3, R. Azzopardi 13, M. Micallef, A. Borg 4, S. Mizzi, M. Bonnici, T. Paris, D. Schembri 15, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matijevic 29, S. Schembri 15.

Compleet IS: M. Naudi 16, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, E. Bezzina 4, J. Galea, T. Riolo 8, O. Said 10, A. Micallef 10, K. Baldacchino 12, S. Cassar 6, R. Mifsud.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro.

Depiro 48
Mellieha SVS 64
(9-23, 13-14, 12-12, 14-15)

Mellieha moved a step closer to maintaining their place among the elite after handing Depiro their second defeat in the Relegation Pool.

After their victory over Siggiewi in the KO SF, Depiro are experiencing a difficult moment and must show improvement to avoid complicating matters at the lower end of the standings. Depiro sorely felt the absence of their shooters Antoine Costa and Mirco Arsvoski.

Mellieha also had some fringe players absent but with Jide Jetsen in typical fine form, they started pulling away after the fifth minute also thanks to a series of Steve Sammut three-pointers.

Mellieha led 34-12 at one stage but with Jetsen tiring out, Depiro reduced the gap to 37-22 at half-time.

With Jetsen back on court Mellieha regained the edge after the break. They showed better qualities as chief Depiro scorer Roderick Vella could not find space to conclude his shots.

Mellieha lost Jetsen through injury in the last quarter but the side was able to rely on experienced playmaker Julian Naudi who made sure that Depiro were kept at a distance .

Depiro: R. Vella 12, D. Debono, M. Sammut, G. Muscat 5, A. Aquilina, A. Tabone 9, J. Gatt 6, E. Lupo 4, M. Mallia 4, I. Tanti 6, D. Agius 2.

Mellieha: C. Sammut 6, J. Naudi 16, S. Sammut 11, S. Aquilina, E. Xuereb, M. Pisani 4, M. Cauchi, J. Jetsen 24, R. Loporto 3.

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Micallef, C. Terribile.

Championship Pool: Luxol 24 (12-0), Compleet IS 17 (7-4), Siggiewi 16 (6-5).

Relegation Pool: Mellieha 15 (4-7), Depiro 14 (4-8), Floriana 12 (1-10).

Louis Borg Cup final
First leg (March 28): 7.45 p.m. Luxol vs Mellieha.
Second leg (March 31): 4.15 p.m. Mellieha vs Luxol.