Falken Cynergi Virtus 76
Floriana Café Del Mar 68
(15-16, 26-14, 16-16, 19-22)
Virtus maintained their impressive start to the season after dismissing the challenge of Floriana.
The first quarter was balanced with Virtus replying to Floriana’s opening basket with a 13-point run. After a time-out, Floriana settled to take a slender lead, 16-15.
A 13-2 run enabled Virtus to open a 35-24 lead and, although Floriana tried to hit back, the champions held on and change ends 41-30 in front.
Towards the middle of the third quarter, Virtus enjoyed another good spell to increase their advantage to 54-37.
Once again, Floriana came back to narrow the deficit to start the last 10 minutes 11 points adrift, 57-46.
Hard as they tried, Floriana could not wipe out the gap as their efforts were nullified by Virtus.
Virtus: S. Pace 8, D. Bugeja 18, R. Bonnici 15, D. Camilleri 9, S. Bonnici, A. Felice Pace 2, C. Santo 18, A. Schembri, F. Bartoli, P. Shoults 1, T. Grech 5.
Floriana: K. Xuereb, D. Borg, L. Ross 12, C. Patus 18, S. Borg, A. Portelli , N. Vasovic 22, C. Calleja 4, A. Axiaq 10, O. Shamala, N. Andrejevic 2.
Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.
PAVI Depiro 40
BUPA Luxol 63
(7-13, 11-8, 8-19, 14-23)
Luxol took another step towards the semi-finals after easing past Depiro.
Depiro, who sorely missed injured forward Timothy Zammit, were unable to cope with Colt Fason as Luxol’s American player hit an impressive 40 points to match the total of the whole Depiro team.
The game was off to a slow start with both teams looking erratic.
Luxol held a slight edge to lead 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. Depiro’s improvement in the second quarter was not enough to stop Luxol changing ends 21-18 ahead.
Depiro kept in touch until the fourth minute of the third quarter, 29-24, but Luxol clicked into gear to gradually pull away of their opponents. They went into the last quarter with a 14-point advantage, 40-26.
With Depiro unable to raise their game, Luxol, inspired by Fason, went to widen their advantage for a comprehensive win.
Depiro: J. Attard 2, D. Farrugia, R. Xuereb, D. Schembri 2, A. Aquilina 11, N. Grech 3, H. Agius, M. Mallia, M. Agius, K. Xuereb 8, M. Borg 1, M. Nieulue 13.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina 2, C. Fason 40, J. Willoughby 3, J.P. Schembri 3, J. Bonello, T. Paris, M. Mercieca 2, J.P. Bonnici 3, S. Capello 10.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, T. Helenius.
Next fixtures
St James Hospital Shield: Sunday13.00 Floriana vs Hibs; 16.30 Luxol vs Gżira Athleta.