Remax Siġġiewi Citadel 66
BUPA Luxol 78

(18-21, 14-19, 19-21, 15-17)

Luxol obtained the victory they needed to maintain their hopes of a place in the play-offs.

Luxol raised their game when it mattered most but Siġġiewi failed to deliver in this key match, committing several passing errors and poor cover in defence.

Thanks to the points from Thomas Staton, Luxol held the early edge as Siġġiewi were handicapped by a third foul from their top-scorer Steve Sammut who had to be substituted.

With young Chris Justin Cordina playing more for the team, Luxol gradually started to take the upperhand even though two consecutive three-pointers helped Siġġiewi close the gap to 40-32 at the interval.

The inconsistent Rashanti Harris was on the bench in the third quarter and Luxol administered their lead wisely to start the last quarter 61-51 ahead.

Many expected Siġġiewi coach Ray Muscat to introduce Sammut and Harris earlier but that never happened. Luxol kept composure to exploit their opponents’ weakness in defence to seal their win.

Siġġiewi: B. Zammit 11, B. Bartolo, S. Sammut 6, R. Calleja, A. Micallef 18, M. Cassar 6, R. Harris 18, N. Mallia 7, L. Grima.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 19, A. Portelli 3, J. Willoughby, J.P. Schembri 3, N. Andrejevic, S. Viser, T. Staton 36, A. Micallef Trigona 8, J.P. Bonnici 9.

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

Athleta A-Z Electronics 77
Floriana Café Del Mar 50

(19-11, 13-5, 15-16, 30-18)

When these two teams last met, four extra-time periods were needed for Floriana to beat Athleta but last weekend the champions showed their true mettle as the Greens were unable to pierce the champions’ formidable 3-2 defence module.

Floriana had shooter David Camilleri and pivot Dirk Schembri missing but more was expected of them as Mike Henniger also found it hard to find openings and avoid the double marking of Isaac Tanti and Chad Patus.

Michael Naudi and Patus steered Athleta to a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and Floriana’s hopes took a step backwards when Athleta extended their advantage to 30-11 with the Greens unable to add another point for six whole minutes.

Henniger kept trying though and Floriana had a good moment after the break. Eight consecutive points saw them narrowing the gap to 40-30.

However, after a time-out and substitutions, Athleta regained control to start the last ten minutes with a 47-32 lead. Floriana’s confidence was at a low ebb and Athleta went on to dominate the last quarter for a comfortable victory.

Athleta: M. Naudi 16, R. Vella 4, F. Mifsud Bonnici, C. Patus 22, M. Gauci Montanaro, O. Said 17, M. Gouder 6, I. Tanti 12, L. Stefa-novic, S. Vincic.

Floriana: M. Henniger 26, N. Sultana 8, S. Borg 1, L. Ross 2, N. Vasovic 11, C. Calleja 2, S. Detemmermen, O. Shamala, D. Agius.

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

Virtus Cynergi 95
PAVI Depiro 75

(15-12, 33-23, 19-26, 28-14)

A depleted Depiro were still in contention until the end of the third quarter. But then, they lost their chief points-getter and pivot Marco Todorovic with five fouls and the going became tough for the bottom-placed team in the regular season.

Virtus were slightly the better team at first. Depiro surpassed a difficult moment but at the break they still trailed 48-35 after a high-scoring second quarter.

Depiro looked more comfortable on court after the interval and soon they closed the gap to four points with Sassoun Saakian very much in evidence, 65-61.

However, Depiro’s hopes were jolted when Todorovic committed his fifth foul. Matt Bruesewitz took control underneath the boards and Virtus seized the initiative.

Depiro faltered badly in the last five minutes to concede defeat.

Virtus: S. Pace 15, D. Bugeja 14, R. Bonnici 9, C. Doublet, M. Bruesewitz 35, A. Felice Pace 3, A. Axiaq 16, I. Buldakov 3, F. Bartolo.

Depiro: J. Attard, T. Zammit 14, M. Todorovic 13, S. Zammit 10, K. Xuereb 13, M. Borg, S. Saakian 25.

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Rowles, L. Abium.

Standings: Athleta 16 (7-2), Virtus 15 (6-3), Floriana 14 (5-4), Luxol 13 (4-5), Siġġiewi 13 (4-5), Depiro 10 (1-8).

Top scorers: M. Bruesewitz (Virtus) 260, M. Henniger (Floriana) 259, T. Staton (Luxol) 242, M. Todorovic (Depiro) 221, C. Patus ( Athleta) 214.

National League: (Saturday) 16.30 Floriana vs Siġġiewi. (Sunday) 13.00 Luxol vs Virtus, 16.30 Athleta vs Depiro.