Athleta A-Z Electronics 56
Royce Floriana 61

(15-16, 18-7, 15-19, 8-19)

Champions Floriana put their upset to Siġġiewi behind them as they inflicted the first defeat on leaders Athleta.

Floriana recovered from a disappointing second-quarter display to storm clear of Athleta in the final minutes of the game.

The low percentage of successful shots suggested that the cold weather may have had an impact on players’ performance last weekend.

It was Athleta who made the better start to pot the opening six points. After a time-out and substitutions, Floriana found their rhythm to cancel a seven-point deficit as they moved one point ahead, 16-15, in the last minutes of the first quarter.

Again it was Athleta who scored the first six points of the second session. Although Floriana hit back to share the exchanges until the fifth minute, Athleta regained the upperhand thanks to their fast play, going 33-23 in front at half-time.

Floriana changed their defensive tactics after the interval and this reaped the desired effect as they narrowed their deficit to six points, 36-30. Athleta, helped by substitutions and a time-out, improved sufficiently to retain their advantage until the end of the quarter, 48-42.

Floriana’s aggressive and mobile defence shifted the game’s momentum in their favour as Athleta’s shooters lost their touch.

Athleta were grateful to captain Michael Naudi as his baskets from within the zone kept them in the game.

When Derek Elston, so effective underneath the boards after the interval, netted a basket to put Floriana in front, Athleta’s reaction failed to materialise.

Their attempts to pause play with foul tactics did not pay off as Floriana sunk the free-throws to secure a morale-boosting victory.

Athleta: M. Naudi 18, D. Bugeja 8, C. Patus 18, W. Spiteri, O. Said 10, S. Pace, B. Bartolo, S. Bischoff, D. Ross, S. Schembri 2.

Floriana: O. Shamala, D. Elston 28, D. Camilleri 10, P. Shoults 3, S. Borg, C. Calleja 4, D. Schembri 12, S. Saakian, D. Agius 4.

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Gouder, S. Ferris.

Pavi Depiro 67
Bupa Luxol 52

(15-9, 19-14, 17-19, 16-10)

Luxol failed to make amends for their KO defeat to Depiro after losing to the same team in the league.

Depiro led throughout the match as Luxol struggled to cope with Anton Axiaq’s presence underneath the boards.

This time, Depiro did not need a free-throw in the last six seconds to force extra-time and win as they were the better side from the jumpball.

They raced to an 11-4 lead and, although Luxol came more into the picture, they could not wipe out the deficit until the end of the first quarter, 15-9.

The second session was a balanced affair until the final minutes when Depiro took control to change ends 34-23 in front.

Luxol tried to make a comeback after the interval but their efforts were matched by Depiro who relied on their collective strength to start the last 10 minutes 51-42 ahead.

Luxol’s problems increased as they lost shooter Nicholas Vasovic to an ankle injury.

With only veteran Marco Mercieca supporting Luxol’s top scorer Michael Myers Keitt to obtain the points, Depiro had little difficulty to administer their lead and climb above their opponents in the table.

Depiro: R. Vella 7, B. Zammit, N. Sultana 4, T. Morris 22, A. Aquilina 8, A. Portelli 3, S. Bartolo 6, A. Axiaq 15, E. Lupo , I. Tanti 2.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 4, M. Mercieca 9, A. Micallef, A. Anderevic, C. Cassar, J.P. Schembri, N. Vasovic 11, M. Myers Keitt 26, J. Willoughby, J.P. Bonnici 2, S. Capello.

Referees: S. Gouder, T. Helenius, S. Ferris.

Starlites 30
Remax Siġġiewi 56

(15-15, 4-14, 2-14, 9-13)

Siġġiewi gained their first victory over Starlites after defeats in the Knock-Out and Shield competitions.

After a promising start, Starlites lost their touch as the match wore on. They had no answer for the towering Ivo Hoeger’s height while the Bonnici brothers were not in good shooting form.

Pivot Marco Todorovic was in evidence in the opening minutes but Siġġiewi managed to limit his influence thereafter with Starlites obtaining only six points, four from the free-throw line, in the next 20 minutes.

With Hoeger reigning supreme underneath the boards, Starlites’ erratic shooting proved to be their downfall.

Siġġiewi were without playmaker Chris Sammut who was unwell.

After opening a 6-0 lead, Siġġiewi struggled to cope with the reaction of Starlites who took a one-point lead, 9-8.

Siġġiewi regained their composure to end the first quarter on level terms, 15-15.

The standard of the game dropped in the second session as baskets became something of a rarity.

Five minutes before half-time, the teams were locked at 19-all. The presence of Hoeger gave Siġġiewi added impetus. They potted the last 10 points to change ends 29-19 ahead.

Starlites’ scoring woes continued after the interval with their only basket coming after seven minutes with Siġġiewi comfortably ahead, 40-19.

With the game as good as over at the start of the last 10 minutes – Siġġiewi led 43-21, both coaches put in their bench players but Siġġiewi remained in control.

Starlites: M. Todorovic 14, R. Loporto, R. Bonnici 1, A. Schembri 2, S. Bonnici 7, J. Curmi 2, A. Cutajar, G. Shkerey 4, B. Soler, G. Coleiro, M. Vassallo.

Siġġiewi: B. Doublet, A. Debattista, S. Sammut 17, N. Falzon, L. Camilleri 6, A. Borg, L. Ross 10, J.P. Antoncich, I. Hoeger 21, M. Mallia 2, M. Matijevic.

Referees: E. Mangani, T. Helenius, S. Ferris.

Standings: Floriana 5 (2-1), Siġġiewi 5 (2-1), Athleta 5 (2-1), Depiro 5 (2-1); Luxol 4 (1-2); Starlites 3 (0-3)

Top scorers: D. Elston (Floriana) 91; M. Myers Keitt (Luxol) 83; T. Morris (Depiro) 75; C. Patus (Athleta) 74; M. Todorovic (Starlites) 73.

Next league fixtures: Saturday, 16.30 Athleta vs Siġġiewi; 18.15 Luxol vs Floriana. Sunday, 13.00 Depiro vs Starlites.

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