Athleta A-Z Electronics 90
BUPA Luxol 57
(17-13, 25-9, 25-18, 23-17)
Though having Omar Said missing, table-toppers Athleta were still too strong for Luxol who left much to be desired, particularly in defence and their shooting percentage.
After a rather low-key start, the champions clicked into gear, again relying mostly on the tactical acumen of Chad Patus and the experience of captain Michael Naudi to pull away from their opponents.
Luxol’s hopes started to fade in the last few minutes before the interval when Athleta, through a series of fast breaks, moved from 26-18 up to 42-22 in front.
Though showing signs of improvement after the interval, Luxol were still not good enough to apply any kind of pressure on the leaders who gradually continued to pull further away and start the last ten minutes enjoying a comfortable 67-40 lead.
Luxol ran out of ideas with Athleta also finding time to give more playing time to their youngsters and hold the edge till the final whistle.
Athleta: M. Naudi 19, R. Vella 7, F. Mifsud Bonnici, C. Patus 33, A. Aquilina 11, M. Gauci Montaldo 2, M. Gouder 6, I. Tanti 12.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina 14, A. Portelli 6, J. Willoughby, J.P. Schembri 3, S. Viser, T. Staton 26, A. Micallef Trigona, J.P. Bonnici 6, S. Capello 2.
Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile, L. Abium.
Remax Siġġiewi Citadel 65
Virtus Cynergi 77
(14-19, 19-17, 16-12, 16-29)
After two consecutive defeats, Virtus were back to winning ways.
They had Matt Breusewitz in fine form, taking the upperhand underneath the boards as veteran Adrian Micallef kept Siġġiewi in the match but Rashanti Harris was unable to sustain his recent progress.
Virtus had the best finish to the first quarter and held on to a five-point lead. Siġġiewi were not giving up lightly though but six consecutive points saw Virtus 36-33 ahead at the half-way stage.
The equilibrium was extended to the third quarter as Siġġiewi’s strong finish helped them start the last ten minutes a point in front 49-48.
The lead changed hands several times but towards the end it was Virtus who pulled away for a timely win that keeps them in contention for the play-offs later this season.
Siġġiewi: B. Zammit 14, B. Bartolo, S. Sammut 10, R. Carabott, A. Micallef 27, M. Cassar, R. Harris 12, M. Mallia 2, L. Grech.
Virtus: S. Pace 12, D. Bugeja 8, R. Bonnici 11, T. Grech, M. Falzon, M. Breusewitz 31, A. Felice Pace, A. Axiaq 15, I. Buldakov, F. Bartolo.
Referees: B. Vassallo, Z. Dobro-seljevic, L. Abium.
Floriana Café Del Mar 91
PAVI Depiro 78
(15-15, 26-12, 16-27, 34-24)
Floriana moved a step closer to a place in the play-offs after a hard-earned win over Depiro.
With morale high after their first victory the previous week, Depiro started the better side. However, Floriana hit back strongly in the second quarter and after opening a five-point lead, 22-17, they profited from a static Depiro defence to go 41-27 ahead at half-time.
Depiro looked compact after the interval as Floriana failed to keep the momentum going when introducing their substitutes.
Depiro grew in confidence and Marco Todorovic was unstoppable in the zone, driving his team back into contention as they only trailed by a point (57-56) before the last quarter got underway.
Floriana introduced their best five on court and forward Clayton Calleja potted crucial points to put the Greens 70-65 ahead.
Depiro’s best players were all on four fouls and when Saasoun Saakian got ejected their hopes were dashed as Floriana seized the initiative to seal the win.
Floriana: M. Henniger 33, D. Camilleri 3, N. Sultana 8, S. Borg 8, L. Ross 14, N. Vasovic 15, C. Calleja 5, D. Schembri 5, O. Shamala, D. Agius.
Depiro: J. Attard, D. Schembri, T. Zammit 3, N. Grech, M. Todorovic 41, R. Zammit, S. Zammit 10, K. Xuereb 8, N. Borg, S. Saakian 16.
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, Z. Dobroseljevic.
Standings: Athleta 14 (6-2), Virtus 13 (5-3), Floriana 13 (5-3), Siġġiewi 12 (4-4), Luxol 11 (3-5), Depiro 9 (1-7).
Top scorers: T. Staton (Luxol) 240, M. Henniger (Floriana) 233, M. Breu-sewitz (Virtus) 225, C. Patus (Athleta) 192, M. Naudi (Athleta) 141.
Next fixtures: (Saturday) 16.30 Athleta vs Floriana. (Sunday) 13.00 Virtus vs Depiro; 16.30 Siġġiewi vs Luxol.