ReMax Siġġiewi 63
Royce Floriana 58
(14-13, 17-19, 15-15, 17-11)

Siġġiewi handed champions Floriana their first league defeat this season.

This was another big test for Siġġiewi who wanted to make up for their upset to Depiro the previous weekend.

Despite being without playmaker Chris Sammut, Siġġiewi found an ideal replacement in Lee Ross who, together with Steve Sammut, exposed Floriana’s defensive weaknesses.

Floriana again relied on Derek Elston for points but he was unable to steer the team out of trouble as the other Greens’ shooters were having a torrid time in the zone.

Leading 14-13 after the first quarter, Siġġiewi remained in command to stretch their advantage to 22-15.

A time-out helped Floriana to regroup and they hit a 13-1 break to forge ahead 28-23.

Siġġiewi’s recovery helped them close the gap to a single point by half-time – 32-31.

Six consecutive points then saw Siġġiewi regain the lead at 37-35 but it was Floriana who started the last ten minutes in front – 47-46.

A hectic finale was in store until a couple of minutes from time when Siġġiewi distanced themselves from Floriana with three successive points that saw them through.

Siġġiewi: C. Doublet, A. Debattista, S. Sammut 20, N. Falzon, L. Camilleri 2, A. Borg 3, L. Ross 15, J.P. Antoncich, I. Heogner 23, M. Mallia.

Floriana: O. Shamala, D. Elston 39, D. Camilleri 6, P. Shoults 5, S. Borg, C. Calleja, D. Schembri 6, S. Saakian 2, S. Dofan Salam, D. Agius.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, T. Helenius.

Athleta A-Z Electronics 82
PAVI Depiro 76
(14-24, 27-14, 19-14, 22-24)

Depiro’s promising start was not enough to unsettle Athleta who showed their true worth from the second quarter onwards with Chad Patus dominating underneath the boards and potting 36 points.

Depiro left much to be desired in the zone and it was in this department that Athleta, now the only team with maximum points, paved the way towards their victory after claiming 56 rebounds to their opponents’ 24.

Depiro’s aggressive start left Athleta stunned, forcing coach Joe Galea to opt for a time-out and introduce David Bugeja in his team.

The move eventually worked as Athleta switched to zone defence, posing a series of problems to Depiro who lost their plot.

Turrel Morris, of Depiro, was blocked by Steve Schembri and two minutes before the interval Athleta nosed 35-33 in front, going on to change ends 41-38 ahead.

With Depiro messing up their attacks, Athleta continued to hold a slight advantage and start the last ten minutes 60-52 to the good.

Depiro tried hard to cancel the deficit. In the dying minutes they also had possession and could have tied the match.

However, Athleta regained control, potting the last two baskets to seal victory.

Athleta: M. Naudi 16, H. Soufain, D. Bugeja 7, C. Patus 36, O. Said 15, S. Pace 1, B. Bartolo, S. Bischoff, D. Ross, S. Schembri 7.

Depiro: R. Vella 11, B. Zammit, N. Sultana 8, T. Morris 24, A. Aquilina 8, A. Portelli 4, S. Bartolo 11, A. Axiaq 4, E. Lupo 2, I. Tanti 4.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Starlites 65
BUPA Luxol 84
(11-26, 12-17, 11-19, 31-22)

Any hopes Starlites might have had to topple Luxol were dashed right from the opening minutes as they were unable to cope with Luxol’s press which saw the latter recovering possessions and mounting a series of fast breaks that yielded them several points.

Starlites had their chief point-getters Marco Todorovic and Robert Bonnici far from their best unlike Luxol’s Michael Meyers Keitt who potted half his team’s points.

Luxol led 43-23 at half-time and continued to dictate matters on the restart to open a 62-34 advantage.

It was only in the last five minutes that Luxol, who had a few second-string players on court, lifted their foot off the pedal allowing Starlites to win the quarter and make the score look more respectable.

Starlites: M. Todorovic 24, R. Loporto 6, R. Bonnici 4, D. Massu, S. Bonnici 5, A. Cutajar, J. Curmi 5, B. Soler 5, G. Szkreney 6, G. Coleiro 8, A. Schembri 2.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 3, M. Mercieca 7, A. Micallef 7, Micallef Trigona, C. Cassar 2, J.P. Schembri 6, N. Vasovic 17, T. Paris, M. Meyers Keitt 42, J. Wil-loughby, S. Capello.

Referees: B. Vassallo, C. Terribile, S. Gouder.

Standings

Athleta 4 (2-0), Luxol 3 (1-1), Siġġiewi 3 (1-1), Depiro 3 (1-1), Floriana 3 (1-1), Starlites 2 (0-2).

Top scorers: D. Elston (Floriana) 63, M. Todorovic (Starlites) 59, M. Meyers Keitt (Luxol) 57, C. Patus (Athleta) 56, T. Morris (Depiro) 53.

BOV KO: Sunday 13.00 Depiro vs Luxol, 16.30 Starlites vs Siġġiewi.