Cynergi started their title defence with victory over Hibernians.

Falken Cynergi Virtus 82
Hibernians 56

(21-18, 22-13, 18-11, 21-14)

Champions Virtus stepped up their game after the interval to see off Hibernians and start their title defence on a sound footing.

Virtus, without the injured David Bugeja, could not have hoped for a better start after potting the opening eight points.

After a time-out, Hibs looked more settled but still trailed 21-18 at the end of the first quarter.

No team looked superior at this juncture but eight consecutive points allowed Virtus to extend their lead and go in for the break 43-31 ahead.

Virtus continued to show the better ideas after the interval to build a 16-point lead.

With Hibs’ reaction failing to materialise, Paul Ferrante’s team never looked back to canter to a comfortable victory.

Virtus: S. Pace 11, R. Bonnici 19, D. Camilleri 4, S. Bonnici 2, J. Formosa 12, A. Felice Pace 4, C. Santo 20, A. Schembri 2, F. Bartolo, T. Grech 8.

Hibs: P. Attard 3, M. Hampton, G. Agius, L. Farrugia 10, S. Attard 12, I. Bonett 4, K. Curmi 9, R. Cortis 3, K. Sultana, S. Vella 2, F. Mariani 4, M. Matijevic 9.

Referees: E. Mangani, T. Helenius, C. Farrugia.

Floriana Café Del Mar 77
BUPA Luxol 57

(16-20, 22-17, 25-16, 14-4)

Floriana made it two wins over Luxol following their success in the KO competition a week earlier.

However, this time it was only in the last quarter that the Greens made sure of victory.

Colt Fason faded in the latter stages as Luxol were dealt a fatal blow when Marco Mercieca was fouled out in the second minute of the last quarter.

Luxol started the better team but after falling 24-16 behind, Floriana lifted their game. With Chad Patus coming more into the picture, they forged ahead just before the interval – 38-37.

As the third quarter started, Luxol regained the lead but that was the last time they were in front. With Fason under tight scrutiny, the Violets suffered badly even though Mercieca was doing his utmost to keep his team in contention.

Floriana led 63-53 before the last session got underway but when Mercieca left the court, the contest was over as the Greens made sure with an 8-1 run.

Floriana: C. Patus 21, D. Borg, L. Ross 12, N. Sultana 8, S. Borg, A. Portelli 4, N. Vasovic 14, C. Calleja, A. Axiaq 7, A. Micallef Trigona 11, O’Shamala, N. Andrejevic.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 8, C. Fason 18, J. Willoughby 2, S. Visser, W. Ahlberg, J.P. Schembri 7, K. Dimech, T. Paris, M. Mercieca 22, J. Maistre Melillo, J.P. Bonnici.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbo-naro, T. Helenius.

PAVI Depiro 51
Gżira Athleta 60

(11-9, 12-17, 13-18, 15-16)

Gżira Athleta fielded no foreign players for this match as Mo Briggs returned to the US and Dutchman Daan Wiersum was unavailable.

However, the young Depiro side, shorn of injured forward Timothy Zammit but with American Michael Neuleu firing on all cylinders, were still unable to topple their more-experienced opponents.

The game had a low-key start but in the opening minutes of the second quarter, Athleta went in front. They managed to hold on to their slight lead at the break, thanks mainly to Michael Naudi’s contribution.

In the closing minutes of the third quarter, Athleta extended their lead to 14 points. Captain Naudi was showing signs of fatigue but they were still strong enough to stay 55-45 ahead.

Depiro tried hard to get into contention, pulling back to within four points (55-51) of their opponents but Athleta shifted into top gear with a Billy Zammit triple to seal their victory.

Depiro: J. Attard, D. Farrugia 6, M. Agius, D. Schembri 5, A. Aquilina 3, N. Grech 8, J. Camilleri, M. Mallia 4, V. Vlachos, M. Borg, M. Neuleu 27.

Athleta: M. Naudi 23, R. Vella 12, F. Mifsud Bonnici, I. Buldakov 2, B. Zammit 5, A. Micallef 3, N. Lubrano 13, S. Vincic, J. Wait, M. Gauci Montaldo 2.

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro, Z. Dobrosavljevic.

Next fixtures (league)
Saturday – 16.30 Gżira vs Floriana. Sunday – 13.00 Hibs vs Depiro; 16.30 Virtus vs Luxol.