Virtus Cynergi had the better of BUPA Luxol to join AtoZ Electronics Athleta at the top. Athleta cruised to an easy win over PAVI Depiro while, in the other match, Remax Siġġiewi Citadel returned to winning ways against Floriana Café Del Mar.

Virtus Cynergi 80
BUPA Luxol 63

(18-9, 31-8, 17-26, 14-20)

In this clash between two high-flying teams, it was Virtus who took advantage of the absence of Luxol playmaker Jean Paul Schembri to join Athleta at the helm.

After their good showing against Siġġiewi, more was expected from Luxol but they fizzled out in the second quarter, allowing Virtus to establish a commanding lead.

Virtus opened strongly to pot the first seven points. Although Luxol’s performance improved, this was not enough to stop Virtus who ended the first quarter 18-9 ahead.

The start of the second quarter was decisive for Virtus as a 17-point break extended their lead to 25 points, 35-10.

A time-out did not help Luxol to surpass this difficult moment. They looked demotivated with Virtus profiting from Luxol’s struggles to change ends 49-17 in front.

With a 32-point lead, Virtus reduced their rhythm and brought on their substitutes.

Luxol did regain some confidence. They shared the exchanges in the last 10 minutes but the damage had already been done as Virtus easily preserved their advantage.

Virtus: S. Pace 11, D. Bugeja 5, R. Bonnici 11, T. Grech, A. Schembri, M. Bruesewitz 30, A. Felice Pace 3, A. Axiaq 11, I. Buldakov 9, G. Coleiro, M. Falzon, F. Bartolo.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 15, A. Portelli 2, J. Willoughby, S. Visser, T. Staton 33, A. Micallef Trigona 3, J.P. Bonnici 6, S. Capello 4.

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, Z. Dobroseljevic.

A-Z Electronics Athleta 107
PAVI Depiro 59

(16-20, 40-8, 17-23, 34-8)

After a promising start, the inexperienced Depiro struggled to cope with Athleta’s full-court press and, as usual, their players complicated matters by resorting to individual play.

Athleta, who were coming from a shock defeat to Floriana, were missing playmaker Roderick Vella but had pivot Isaac Tanti back.

Joe Galea’s team took some time to settle as Depiro produced some good basketball to take a 10-point lead, 13-3.

After a time-out, Athleta found their feet to narrow the gap to four points, 20-16, by the end of the first session.

The second quarter was a different story altogether as Athleta switched to full-court press. This jolted Depiro who opted to dribble their way up the court, allowing Athleta to double up and recover innumerable possessions.

Seventeen consecutive points opened the way for Athleta’s win as Depiro also lost their shooting touch.

At the interval, Athleta led 56-28.

Athleta eased their pressure and Depiro fared better but the over-exuberance of some of their youngsters did not help their cause.

Starting the last quarter 73-51 in front, Athleta remained determined to add to their winning margin as their coach targeted a century which they achieved with a few minutes left on the clock.

Athleta: M. Naudi 30, F. Mifsud Bonnici, C. Patus 34, A. Aquilina 12, M. Gauci Montaldo, O. Said 20, M. Gouder 2, I. Tanti 9.

Depiro: J. Attard, D. Schembri 2, R. Rizzo, T. Zammit 12, M. Todorovic 25, R. Zammit, S. Zammit 8, K. Xuereb 5, M. Borg, S. Saakian 7.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, Z. Dobroseljevic.

Remax Siġġiewi Citadel 76
Floriana Café Del Mar 67

(17-19, 18-9, 23-20, 18-19)

Floriana failed to replicate their performance against Athleta as they went down to the well-organised Siġġiewi who have thus maintained their play-off hopes alive.

Siġġiewi are fourth, level on seven points with Floriana, but ahead of their rivals after winning the direct encounter.

After fading away in the last quarter of their defeat to Virtus, this time Siġġiewi kept their cool to control Floriana’s confused efforts to reopen the match.

Floriana’s troubles began just before the interval and, thereafter, they were never able to unsettle Siġġiewi.

With Rashanti Harris winning the duel underneath the boards, Floriana’s Mark Henniger was not as effective as in previous games.

The first quarter was balanced with the lead changing hands until Lee Ross’s three-pointer at the buzzer put Floriana 19-17 ahead.

Floriana had the brighter start to the second quarter but, after holding a six-point lead, 26-20, they were pegged back by Siġġiewi who, as the game moved on, took control of the proceedings to go in for the half-time break 35-28 ahead.

One expected Floriana to make a reaction after the interval but this did not materialise as their players overdid it with their dribbling and resorted to hurried conclusions.

This played into Siġġiewi’s hands as they turned the ball around well in attack until freeing a team-mate for a comfortable shot.

Siġġiewi administered their lead to start the last 10 minutes 58-48 in front.

Hard as they tried, Floriana could not exert pressure on Siġġiewi who kept their shooting instincts in check to secure their second league win.

Siġġiewi: B. Zammit 15, S. Sammut 17, M. Matijevic, R. Carabott 5, A. Micallef 11, M. Cassar 3, R. Harris 25, M. Mallia.

Floriana: M. Henniger 19, D. Camilleri, N. Sultana 5, S. Borg 1, L. Ross 15, N. Vasovic 15, C. Calleja 10, D. Schembri 2, S. Detemmerman, O. Shamala, D. Agius.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, C. Terribile.

Standings: Athleta 9 (4-1), Virtus 9 (4-1); Luxol 8 (3-2), Siġġiewi 7 (2-3), Floriana 7 (2-3); Depiro 5 (0-5).

Top scorers: M. Todorovic (Depiro) 154; T. Staton (Luxol) 146; M. Henniger (Floriana) 137; M. Bruesewitz (Virtus) 133; C. Patus (Athleta) 113.

Next fixtures (BOV League): Saturday 16.30 Luxol vs Floriana. Sunday 13.00 Virtus vs Athleta; 16.30 Siġġiewi vs Depiro.