Hibernians 62
Falken Cynergi Virtus 90

(11-19, 18-26, 14-29, 19-16)

Not for the first time this season, Hibs had no answer to Virtus’s pressing as the champions maintained their unbeaten run to start the second round of the National League on a top note.

Hibs made an encouraging start but Virtus soon took matters in hand.

After a balanced opening to the second quarter, Virtus dominated to change ends 45-29 ahead.

Hibs were never in a position to react as Virtus continued to add to their lead.

With Virtus making good use of their substitutes, Hibs managed to stop the rot, temporarily, but still lost the last session as Paul Ferrante’s team continued their impressive form in the championship.

Hibs: P. Attard 2, M. Hampton, M. Formosa, L. Farrugia 6, S. Attard 11, I. Bonett 4, K. Caruana 13, R. Carabott 4, K. Sultana, S. Vella, F. Mariani 7, M. Matijevic 15.

Virtus: S. Pace 6, D. Bugeja 4, R. Bonnici 10, D. Camilleri 9, S. Bonnici 2, J. Formosa 28, A. Felice Pace 1, C. Santo 28, L. Sobars, F. Busuttil, P. Shoults 2, T. Grech.

Referees: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef, Z. Dobroseljevic.

BUPA Luxol 74
Floriana  Café Del Mar 87

(24-24, 21-15, 10-30, 19-18)

Luxol’s lack of strength-in-depth led to their downfall last weekend.

When Luxol had to change Marco Mercieca and Chris Julian Cordina, both on their third foul, Floriana took advantage to open a commanding lead.

Luxol tried to recover in the last quarter but then it was too late.

This match saw Luxol nail 14 shots from outside the zone to the Greens’ 11.

Floriana opened strongly but Luxol replied to level the scores by the end of the quarter – 24-24.

There was very little between the two sides but Luxol’s better shooting saw them open a 45-39 lead by half-time.

Luxol continued to be the better side but the enforced substitutions jolted their stride as Chad Patus and Lee Ross were successful with their three-point shots for Floriana to surge ahead 69-55 before the last period got underway.

Luxol trimmed the gap to six points – 75-69 – but tiredness crept into the team, allowing Floriana to regain the initiative and seal the win.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 11, C. Fenson 22, J. Willoughby, J.P. Schembri 17, K. Dimech, M. Mercieca 3, J. Maistre Mellilo, J.P. Bonnici 21.

Floriana: C. Patus 28, L. Ross 22, N. Sultana 13, S. Borg 4, A. Portelli, N. Vasovic 3, C. Calleja, A. Axiaq 15, A. Micallef Trigona 2, A. Andrejevic.

Referees: A. Carbonaro, S. Micallef , C. Farrugia.

Gżira Athleta 74
PAVI Depiro 54

(23-16, 9-9, 21-12, 21-17)

Although Athleta led for the entire match, it was only in the last minutes that they made sure of victory as Depiro never gave up hope.

The difference between the two teams was probably in rebounds as Athleta recovered no fewer than 20 more than their opponents, scoring vital points along the way.

Michael Naudi topped the scoring with 25 points. Once again, he was the main source of inspiration for Athleta along with Lee Fisher who was a key figure for the team in the zone, though his shooting was sometimes erratic.

Depiro showed progress from their last league performances but they need to be more effective in defence as there were periods during Sunday’s game when they were overpowered by Athleta.

The first quarter was a flowing affair with points being scored at both ends of the court.

However, the second period was a dull, low-scoring affair as Depiro struggled to reduce the gap to 32-25 at the interval.

The level of play improved after half-time with Athleta, thanks to their better percentage in rebounds, regaining the edge to start the last quarter 53-37 ahead.

Depiro looked a determined lot at the start of the fourth quarter but, after closing the gap to eight points, 58-50, their zone play once again let them down.

In the end, a Luke Stefanovic three-pointer rubberstamped Athleta’s victory.

Athleta: M. Naudi 25, R. Vella 9, F. Mifsud Bonnici, D. Wiresum 2, L. Stefanovic 3, I. Buldakov 2, B. Zammit 9, A. Micallef 7, S. Vincic, M. Gauci Montaldo, L. Fisher 17.

Depiro: J. Attard 3, B. Mifsud, J. Camilleri, A. Aquilina 5, N. Grech, T. Zammit 8, M. Mallia 2, V. Vlahos, K. Xuereb 17, M. Neuleu 19.

Referees: B. Vassallo, Z. Dobroseljevic, C. Farrugia.

Standings
Virtus 12 (6-0); Floriana 11 (5-1); Gżira 10 (4-2); Luxol 8 (2-4); Hibs 7 (1-5), Depiro 6 (0-6).

Next fixtures
National League: Saturday, 16.30 Floriana vs Gżira Athleta. Sunday, 13.00 Virtus vs Luxol; 16.30 Depiro vs Hibs.

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