Loyola Tata Motors 56
Athleta A-Z Electronics 70
(14-15, 14-20, 14-9, 14-26)
Leaders Athleta met strong resistance from bottom-placed Loyola and it was only in the final session that they secured their fourth victory.
The early exchanges saw Athleta opening a narrow lead. Although the champions pressed hard in attack, Loyola continued to give a good account of themselves and also led 24-22 with five minutes left for half-time.
Anton Axiaq missed a couple of easy baskets for Loyola and Athleta went on to change ends 35-28 ahead.
One expected Athleta to impose their superiority after the interval but with Omar Said having an off day, it was Loyola who closed the gap significantly to start the last ten minutes a single basket behind – 44-42.
Loyola kept hold of their nerves and took a 47-45 lead but when coach Alfred Mifsud was forced to replace the injured Stefan Vella and top-scorer David Camilleri, the team lost shape.
Athleta pounced on their opponents’ difficulties, winning several possessions to open an unassailable lead and secure a hard-earned win.
Loyola: S. Pace 2, D. Camilleri 28, S. Borg 1, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella, A. Axiaq 4, J.P. Azzopardi, J. Ransley, R. Harris 21.
Athleta: M. Naudi 14, I. Buldakov, D. Bugeja 4, M. Todorvic 13, M. Giusti, O. Said 6, D. Schembri 16, A. Bonnici 4, K. Baldacchino 4, S. Schembri 9.
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.
BUPA Luxol 72
Depiro Mtarfa 69
(17-19, 13-13, 28-8, 14-29)
Luxol recorded their third win to stay in touch with leaders Athleta.
The early exchanges were evenly balanced but both teams were finding it difficult to conclude their attacking moves.
At half-time, Depiro were leading 32-30. But Luxol showed impro-vement as the third quarter got underway and five consecutive pots from outside the arc by Jerome Bilen put the team 49-34 ahead.
Greg Hamlin was instructed to mark Bilen tightly and the move worked but Depiro, with captain Roderick Vella having a rather quiet match, were not able to edge closer to their opponents.
They pressed but their erratic play allowed Luxol to lead 67-55.
Then, with time running out, Depiro chose to go for three-pointers but with little effect and when Andrew Aquilina did find his touch, it was too late.
Luxol: C.J. Cordina, M. Mercieca 15, J. Bilen 33, A. Micallef Trigona 4, A. Costa, N. Vasovic 7, T. Paris, M. Attard Montalto, J.P. Bonnici 13, S. Capello.
Depiro: R. Vella 2, J.P. Schembri, A. Aquilina 17, A. Portelli 4, A. Micallef 11, E. Lupo, M. Mallia, I. Tanti 10, G. Hamlin 25.
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.
Siġġiewi 79
Floriana Fran. Fenech 70
(22-11, 27-22, 18-14, 12-23)
Siġġiewi continued to show progress as they beat in-form Floriana to join them on the six-point mark.
In a clumsy encounter, each team had two players fouled out and eight others finished with four fouls each.
Siġġiewi did not allow Floriana time to settle down and led 22-11 at the end of the first quarter with Marco Matijevic being more effective than the previous match.
Evan Fjeld was closely sha-dowed this time and Floriana were found wanting up front as Siġġiewi increased their advantage to 49-33 at half-time.
Siġġiewi did well to control Floriana’s recovery attempts but suddenly they lost their plot and useless fouls allowed Floriana back in.
With Chris Maier and Alan Borg expelled for anti-sporting in-fringements, Floriana started to close the gap.
With a minute to go, the Greens were only a basket behind but Siġġiewi potted some crucial free-throws to clinch victory.
Siġġiewi: R. Agius, L. Camilleri 10, K. Borg 5, E. Xuereb 2, A. Borg 14, L. Grima, C. Maier 11, C. Kodomaris 8, M. Matijevic 29.
Floriana: C. Sammut 16, I. Mercieca 13, S. Sammut 11, C. Calleja 3, A. Baldacchino 2, E. Fjeld 25, A. Sultana, M. Ciantar.
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.
Standings: Athleta 8 (4-0), Luxol 7 (3-1), Siġġiewi 6 (2-2), Floriana 6 (2-2), Depiro 5 (1-3), Loyola 4 (0-4).
Top scorers: J. Bilen (Luxol) 136, R. Harris (Loyola) 96, G. Hamlin (Depiro) 83, M. Matijevic (Siġġiewi) 73.
Next fixtures: Saturday, 15.30 Floriana vs Luxol. Sunday, 14.45 Athleta vs Siġġiewi; 16.30 Depiro vs Loyola.