Depiro had already beaten Qormi on four other occasions this season, and they kept up this winning streak, to start off this Pool on a positive note. Depiro made a good opening, but Qormi were better in the next two sessions, seeming to make a game of it, only for Depiro to ascertain themselves of a victory, as they ambled away in the final period.

Depiro were without Gavin Muscat and David Debono, but Sassoun Saakian was on the bench, though he was not utilised. Qormi were again without most of their established players, with youngsters taking their place.

Anton Axiaq made two hoops for Qormi, after Depiro’s opening basket, but then Qormi had to endure an adverse 0-16 run, with Jeffrey Gatt points, and treys by Andrew Aquilina, and two by Roderick Vella.

Axiaq stopped Depiro’s run, and although Qormi cut down on their deficit, Depiro were still holding a good advantage.

Qormi made a good start in the second quarter, as an 8-2 run, with treys by Antoine Costa and Karl Borg, made it a 17-22 score.

Depiro recovered and increased their lead with David Bugeja free shots, and Gatt was acquitting himself well in the paint. Depiro’s 8-3 run was stopped by a second Costa trey, and at the halftime break it was Depiro on a 30-23 lead.

After the interval Depiro opened up with a 7-0 run, and a David Agius trey. Costa stopped them again, with another trey, but Depiro were in for more.

And another 7-0 run, once more with an Agius trey, gave them a healthy advantage. Qormi recovered with Alex Tabone hoops, and then a further Costa trey, in a late 7-0 run, brought them back into contention, on a 39-48 deficit.

It was Isaac Tanti who concluded well for Depiro, at the start of the last session, in an 8-3 run. Then it was Qormi replying to most of Depiro’s other points, but the latter were safe in their advantage, and could control the rest of the match.

Depiro: 10 R. Vella, JP Schembri, S. Saakian, 5 A. Aquilina, 5 D. Bugeja, 13 J. Gatt, 7 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 10 I. Tanti, 11 D. Agius

Qormi: G. Borg, J. Sant, C. Vella, 2 J. Anastasi, D. Debattista, 9 A. Tabone, 12 K. Borg, 7 A. Axiaq, G. Mercieca, 15 A. Costa, J. Camilleri, 3 C. Bugeja

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Stephen Micallef