Depiro recovered from a difficult start to overwhelm Luxol 76-66 in the first leg of their Louis Borg Cup match on Sunday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

PAVI Depiro 76
BUPA Luxol 66

(11-27, 22-13, 28-15, 15-11)

Luxol seemed cruising to victory after establishing a significant lead before half-time.

However, they suddenly lost their rhythm with American player Colt Fason and captain Marco Mercieca unable to make a decisive impact after committing fouls.

Luxol arguably committed the mistake of not slowing their tempo and that played into the hands of Depiro who gradually gained in confidence to overcome the deficit ahead of today’s second leg.

John Tabone’s team had a flying start to open a 16-point advantage at the end of the first quarter. They continued to hold the upperhand and extended their lead to 38-14.

Tabone then opted to rest Fason and Luxol lost the plot.

Michael Neulue came more into the picture as Depiro seized control.

Until the break, Luxol could only add one basket to their tally as Depiro closed the gap to seven points – 40-33.

One expected Luxol to react after the interval but that failed to materialise. More woes were in store for them when Mercieca was fouled out.

The force was with Depiro and they pressed hard inside their opponents’ zone to start the last 10 minutes 61-55 ahead.

Depiro continued to show the better play and, at one point, enjoyed a 13-point lead over Luxol – 74-61.

It was only in the last minutes that Tabone’s men regained their focus to limit the damage and stay in contention ahead of the second leg.

Depiro: J. Attard 1, J. Camilleri, D. Schembri 6, A. Aquilina 11, N. Grech, T. Zammit 12, M. Mallia 2, V. Vloshes, K. Xuereb 11, M. Borg, M. Neulue 33.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 16, C. Fason 31, J. Willoughby 2, S. Visser 2, J.P. Schembri 9, K. Dimech, T. Paris 2, M. Mercieca 4, J. Maistre Mellilo, S. Capello.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, T. Helenius.

Wins for Athleta, Floriana

In another Louis Borg Cup tie, more was expected from Hibernians after their victory over Depiro the previous week and considering that Gżira Athleta had to do without key players Michael Naudi and Roderick Vella.

Hibs, with pivot Marco Matijevic showing good form, were still in contention a few minutes before half-time. But when Matijevic was benched, Hibs were unable to find a way through their opponents’ zone defence.

Daan Weirsum led Athleta’s charge and they potted 11 points without reply to change ends 32-22 ahead.

Hibs were a spent force and Joe Galea’s team were never in trouble as they opened a 30-point lead ahead of the second leg after winning the tie 72-42.

As expected, Floriana were too strong for Division Two outfit Mellieħa, winning the first leg 73-51.

After a rather quiet opening, Floriana clicked into gear, allowing coach Mario Tabone to gradually put in his substitutes.

But Steve Sammut hit a series of three pointers to keep Mellieħa in the game even though the Greens had Chad Patus and Anton Axiaq back on court.

At half-time, Floriana only led by two points – 29-27.

However, Tabone sent out his best team when play resumed and this paid off as Floriana raced into a handsome 60-38 lead before the last quarter was played.

Floriana were happy to administer their advantage with most of their fringe players getting a run-out in the late stages.