Floriana Café Del Mar 70
Virtus Cynergi 65

(22-22, 19-12, 16-12, 13-19)

Needing a win to keep their play-off hopes alive, Floriana rose to the occasion as they saw off Virtus who completed a miserable week in which they suffered three defeats.

Floriana emerged on top as they were the more determined side and took advantage of Virtus’ poor shooting.

Virtus were without forward Peter Shoults, who suffered another injury in the BOV Knock-Out final, while pivot Anton Axiaq and playmaker Shaun Pace were not at their best.

The opening quarter was a balanced affair with the two teams trading baskets to finish level at 22-all.

Floriana began the second quarter with six consecutive points and Virtus were unable to bridge the gap, trailing 41-34 at the interval.

Virtus took more than five minutes to add another point after the half-time break with Floriana capitalising to extend their lead to 47-34.

After a time-out and substitutions, Virtus improved with American Mike Bruesewitz coming more into the picture. But this was not enough to unsettle Floriana who began the last 10 minutes 57-46 ahead.

Virtus raised their game as the last quarter got underway. Their reaction halted Floriana’s momentum as Virtus closed the gap to a single basket, 57-55.

A time-out enabled Floriana to regain their focus and composure as they fought back to increase their lead, 67-58.

Confusion crept into Virtus’s game as their hurried shots played into Floriana’s hands.

Floriana: M. Henniger 28, D. Camilleri 2, N. Sultana, S. Borg, L. Ross 11, N. Vasovic 23, C. Calleja 4, D. Schembri 2, S. Detemmerman, O. Shamala, D. Agius.

Virtus: S. Pace 7, D. Bugeja 16, R. Bonnici 7, M. Bruesewitz 28, A. Felice Pace, A. Axiaq 2, I. Buldakov 3, G. Coleiro 2, F. Bartolo.

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

A-Z Elect. Athleta 67
Remax Siġġiewi Citadel 80

(10-23, 13-22, 12-7, 32-28)

After coming close in the first round, Siġġiewi secured an important victory at the expense of champions and current leaders Athleta to stay in contention for the play-offs.

Siġġiewi maintained their recent improvement. Their task was made easier by the early withdrawal of Athleta captain Michael Naudi, who picked up an injury, as Siġġiewi established a significant lead by half-time.

Until Naudi was on court, Athleta were a basket ahead, 10-8, but his exit disrupted the champions who could not add another point, allowing Siġġiewi to end the quarter 23-10 in front.

Athleta’s difficulties continued in the opening minutes of the second quarter as Siġġiewi, with Rashanti Harris in control underneath the boards, widened their lead to 32-12.

Gradually Athleta improved but this was not enough to stop Siġġiewi who led 45-23 at half-time.

With such a comfortable advantage, Siġġiewi lost their concentration after the interval but Athleta failed to profit.

The final minutes started with Siġġiewi 52-35 in front as both teams had difficulty concluding their attacks.

The last quarter was the most entertaining as the two sides potted regular baskets to increase their tally but Siġġiewi administered their lead to the delight of their supporters.

Athleta: M. Naudi, F. Mifsud Bonnici, R. Vella 16, C. Patus 22, A. Aquilina 11, M. Gauci Montanaro, O. Said 18, M. Gouder, I. Tanti.

Siġġiewi: B. Zammit 18, S. Sammut 19, B. Bartolo, R. Carabott, A. Micallef 16, M. Cassar, R. Harris 24, M. Mallia 3.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, E. Mangani.

Pavi Depiro 82
BUPA Luxol 74

(20-16, 19-17, 19-19, 24-22)

The results of the previous games left Luxol needing a win to stay in the hunt for the play-offs.

For their part, Depiro were still searching for that elusive victory.

Luxol looked casual in the first two quarters and could not find the energy to lift their performance thereafter.

This time, Depiro did not yield under pressure and kept their concentration until the final buzzer.

Sassoun Saakian played his best match of the season for Depiro, exerting control underneath the boards and also scoring important baskets.

Marco Todorovic finished as the game’s top scorer with 31 points but his tendency to go it alone even when surrounded by three players often ended with him giving away possession.

Luxol did not show their usual aggressiveness in defence with top scorer Thomas Staton struggling to make a lasting impact while Chris Justin Cordina must show more patience in attack.

Pivot Jean Paul Bonnici’s good shooting form kept Luxol in touch with their opponents.

Luxol were in front only once during the game, after the sixth minute when a three-pointer put them 13-12 ahead.

Depiro regained the initiative to take a four-point lead, 20-16, by the end of the first quarter.

The match developed into an interesting duel with Depiro preserving their lead until half-time, 39-33. One expected a more aggressive and positive Luxol after the interval but the young Depiro side held firm to begin the last 10 minutes six points ahead , 58-52.

Luxol enjoyed a good start to the last quarter to level at 58-all but Depiro hit back immediately to pot the next seven points, 67-60.

Luxol tried hard to cancel out the deficit but grew erratic in the final stages as Depiro secured their first victory.

Depiro: J. Attard 2, D. Schembri, T. Zammit 14, M. Todorovic 31, S. Zammit 6, K. Xuereb 11, N. Borg 3, S. Saakian 15.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 11, A. Portelli 6, J. Willoughby, J.P. Schembri 3, S. Viser, T. Staton 34, A. Micallef Trigona, J.P. Bonnici 16, S. Capello 4,

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani,Z. Dobroseljevic.

Standings: Athleta 12 (5-2); Virtus 11 (4-3), Floriana 11 (4-3) Siġġiewi 11(4-3); Luxol 10 (3-4); Depiro 8 (1-6).

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