Floriana Café Del Mar 83
Gżira Athleta 74
(14-26, 19-17, 12-9, 23-16, 15-6)
In an exciting game, Floriana came from behind to complete the double over Gżira.
Athleta, who were without injured forward Adrian Micallef, led for most of the match but fizzled out in the last quarter, allowing Floriana to level matters before sealing victory in extra-time.
Gżira potted the opening six points but two three-pointers from Chad Patus, who was facing his former team, helped Floriana to narrow the gap to 9-6.
With Floriana unable to conclude their attacking moves, Athleta opened a nine-point gap, 16-7, and extended it to 12, 26-14, at the end of the first quarter.
The game developed into a balanced affair with Gżira retaining the lead until half-time, 43-33.
The third quarter was a scrappy affair with both teams guilty of several mistakes and erratic conclusions.
Another three-pointer from Patus in the last seconds saw Floriana reduce the deficit to seven points, 52-45.
When the fourth quarter got underway, Floriana stayed on the comeback trail with Patus nailing another basket to pull them within a point of Gżira, 58-57.
Gżira staged a reaction and a Roderick Vella three-pointer and Lee Fisher’s baskets gave them an eight-point lead, 65-57.
The loss of Nikolai Lubrano, for five fouls, was a blow for Gżira as consecutive long-distance shots from Nicholas Vasovic and another by Patus enabled Floriana to level at 66-all.
Michael Naudi stole possession to put Gżira ahead only for Anton Axiaq to force extra-time.
The last couple of minutes were marred by controversies, resulting in Floriana coach Mario Tabone being punished for a technical infringement after the buzzer sounded.
Floriana retained their composure to take the lead, 72-69, but Billy Zammit’s three-pointer put Gżira back on level terms.
But, with Athleta tiring out, Floriana took advantage to secure victory through free-throws.
Floriana: C. Patus 36, L. Ross 9, N. Sultana 11, S. Borg 2, A. Portelli 8, N. Vasovic 8, C. Calleja, A. Axiaq 9, N. Andrejevic.
Gżira: M. Naudi 20, R. Vella 23, F. Mifsud Bonnici, D. Wiersum 3, L. Stefanovic , I. Buldakov 2, B. Zammit 6, J. Wait, N. Lubrano 9, S. Vincic, M. Gauci Montaldo, L. Fisher 11.
Referees: B. Vassallo, A. Carbonaro, Z. Dobrosavljevic.
Falken Cynergi Virtus 111
BUPA Luxol 93
(26-21, 24-24, 23-22, 38-26)
In a fast, high-scoring match, Luxol were again let down by their lack of strength-in-depth as it was only in the last quarter that leaders Virtus seized control to maintain their unbeaten record.
Virtus held a slight edge in the opening minutes to build a six-point lead, going on to end the initial quarter 26-21 ahead.
Luxol continued to share the exchanges also in the second period, stopping Virtus from pulling further away before the interval, 50-45.
The opening minutes of the third quarter saw Luxol forge 57-54 ahead.
After a time-out, Virtus fought back to regain the lead, starting the last 10 minutes six points ahead, 73-67.
Luxol hopes vanished as Virtus continued to press to race clear of their tiring opponents.
Virtus: S. Pace 15, D. Bugeja 9, R. Bonnici 9, D. Camilleri 15, S. Bonnici, J. Formosa 13, A. Felice Pace, C. Santos 38, L. Sobers, F. Bartolo, P. Shoults 12.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina 16, C. Fenson 37, J. Willoughby 12, S. Vasser, J.P. Schembri 15, K. Dimech, M. Mercieca 4, J. Maistre Melillo, J.P. Bonnici 9.
Referees: G. Barbara, S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic.
Pavi Depiro 86
Hibernians 82
(19-10, 16-26, 11-26, 27-11, 13-9)
A match that had several twists and turns saw Depiro stage a comeback in the final minutes to force extra-time and then went on to register their first league victory of the season.
After a balanced start, Depiro went on a 9-2 run to extend their lead to 17-8. The second quarter began with Depiro 19-10 ahead but their wastefulness underneath the boards allowed Hibs to stay in touch.
In the last five minutes before the interval, Hibs’ full-court approach surprised Depiro who lost their composure as they fell a point behind, 36-35.
With Depiro still in confusion, Hibs looked well set to win the encounter as they opened a 56-40 lead.
After a time-out, Depiro also opted to press full court.
Hibs started the last 10 minutes 62-46 ahead but Depiro trimmed the gap to 67-59 with five minutes left.
While Depiro grew in confidence, Hibs continued to lose possession and gave up the initiative, going four points behind, 71-67, with a couple of minutes left.
Hibs battled on and levelled at 71-all.
Kurt Xuereb put Depiro in front with less than five seconds left but Hibs’ Simon Attard converted the last two free-throws to send the game into extra-time, 73-73.
Equilibrium prevailed in the additional session but Michael Nwelue’s free-throws and basket proved decisive for Depiro.
Depiro: J. Attard, J. Camilleri, A. Aquilina 14, N. Grech 4, T. Zammit 10, M. Mallina 14, K. Xuereb 11, M. Borg, M. Nwelue 33.
Hibs: P. Attard, M. Hampton, L. Farrugia 6, S. Attard 17, I. Bonett 4, K. Garuana 14, R. Carabott 11, K. Sultana, S. Vella 4, F. Mariani 6, M. Matijevic 20.
Referees: B. Vassallo, A. Carbonaro, Z. Dobrosavljevic.
Standings
Virtus 14 (7-0); Floriana 13 (6-1); Gżira 11(4-3); Luxol 9 (2-5); Depiro 8 (1-6); Hibs 8 (1-6).
Top scorers
C. Fenson (Luxol) 225; C. Patus ( Floriana) 196; C. Santo (Virtus) 175; M. Naudi (Gżira) 175; M. Nwelue (Depiro) 163.
Next fixtures: (BOV National League) Saturday, 16.30 Luxol vs Hibs. Sunday, 13.00 Depiro vs Floriana; 16.30 Gżira vs Virtus.