Suns are now in second place, on equal points with superior direct encounters against Mellieha. It was Suns' third win over Floriana this season.

The start of the game was disastrous for Floriana. Suns made their intentions clear from the beginning, as their treys found their mark, and a forceful 22-2 run, which carried on till the end of the session, had already given them a substantial lead. Suns went on at the start of the second quarter, netting four more hoops, before the Greens started to find their feet, and a 10-1 run gave them some confidence. Suns replied with another trey but Floriana ended the session on a good note. At the interval it was a 41-18 match.

After the break Suns paid more attention to their defensive play, and managed to increase their lead once more. Pierre Attard found space to sink a couple of treys for Floriana, as Suns ended the session on a 9-3 run and a 60-30 score.

In the last quarter, play was more open, given Suns' large advantage. Floriana improved their score to an acceptable standard, with Josef Paris working well under the boards. Robert Camilleri also had a good last session for Suns, as they advanced another place in the rankings.

Floriana: 13 Glenn Gauci Grech, 11 Josef Paris

Suns: 15 Vince Spiteri, 15 Robert Camilleri, 13 Albert Borg

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara

Loyola Xuereb Inst, 55

Mosta 47

(9-11)(5-14)(18-8)(23-19)

Loyola just got the verdict in an exciting game, as Mosta were on the losing end for the second time in a row.

Loyola opened up their options again for a place in the play-offs, as they recorded their first victory over Mosta this season, after two defeats. The final score belies the fact that it could have been Mosta's match at the end, but in the final seconds a 7-0 run for Loyola ascertained their win.

Mosta were without Matthew Bonnici, Steve Gouder and Karl Fabri. Both sides opened up with their treys, but Ray Muscat helped Mosta to a first-session lead, getting all their points, including three treys.

In the second session, Mosta kept on with their treys, as Loyola fell further behind. An 8-0 run in Mosta's favour gave them a good lead at the interval, on a low 25-14 score.

After the break Loyola staged their comeback. Both sides still enhanced their score with treys, but Loyola managed a good 14-3 run, which brought them close again, on a minimal 33-32 score, after three sessions.

In the final quarter the scoring was more plentiful. Mosta lost their lead but regained it immediately, on a 40-38 score.They held the lead for some time but Loyola's insistence gave them the points needed to go in front. With less than a minute to go Mosta were only a poit down, but their attempts to stop the clock only enabled Loyola to secure their victory with free throws, and opened up the play-off question once more.

Loyola: 16 Trevor Grech, 11 Clive Bonnici

Mosta: 23 Ray Muscat, 11 Adrian Pace

Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro

Qormi Kia 31

Mellieha SVS 51

(12-15)(5-4)(10-17)(4-15)

The league leaders are passing through a bad patch. They lost their second consecutive match, and the top spot, which seemed so secure, is now in contention again.

Mellieha had already beaten Qormi in the first round, but had lost two other games earlier in the season. Qormi badly missed Simon Cauchi's playmaking, and Adrian Baldacchino was also missing.

It was Qormi who had the better opening, and a 7-2 lead, but Mellieha recovered twice in the opening session, and a 7-0 session-ending run pushed Qormi behind them.

The second quarter was a point-shy affair at both ends, as Mellieha held on to their lead, with Qormi unable to make any impact, as they trailed throughout the quarter. At the interval it was a low 19-17 score.

After the break the scoring picked up again. Qormi tied the game soon after the start, but Mellieha went into a slight lead which they continued to add on as the session progressed. An 8-1 till the end of the third session put Qormi 27-36 behind, as they continued to struggle.

In the last quarter, Mellieha were full of confidence as Qormi slumped to one of their worst defeats. They barely mustered two hoops, and they were well mastered by the Melliaha side, who fully deserved their comfortable win at the end. Qormi looked a beaten lot well before the match ended.

Qormi: 12 Jason Dalli

Mellieha: 10 Ian Curmi, 10 Robert Loporto

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile

Mellieha SVS 65

Floriana 36

(14-6)(21-9)(15-11)(15-10)

Mellieha kept up their winning sequence, as they are now pretty certain of a place in the play-offs, and are also challenging for the top spot.

It was their fourth seasonal victory over Floriana. Mellieha had Graham Coleiro missing from this encounter.

They opened up with a four basket spread, before the Greens could open their account, but Mellieha had a good lead after the first session, with Ben Aquilina in the forefront.

Mellieha didn't let up in the second quarter, and a 12-2 start had a Robert Loporto finish with a trey. Floriana replied briefly, but Mellieha were still hungry for points, and they increased their lead till the interval, when they went in on a 35-15 score.

After the break Floriana made their presence felt, as treys went in at both ends. Mellieha's lead went down slightly, but they picked up again till the end of the quarter, and an 8-0 run gave them a 50-26 favourable score.

In the last session Mellieha were still holding Floriana at bay, and their lead kept on growing. As time passed Mellieha's pressure started to slacken, and Floriana found space to add on to their tally.

At the end Mellieha were quite happy with their third consecutive win, and their high placing.

Mellieha: 11 Robert Loporto, 11 Martin Aquilina

Floriana: 14 Glenn Gauci Grech

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro

SN Suns Bell Med 43

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 35

(19-7)(6-13)(9-13)(9-2)

This win decided Suns' involvement in the play-offs, as their second place in the standings, ahead of Mellieha on direct encounters, now assures them of a final four entry.

Suns edged Loyola in games against each other, with two wins to one.

Loyola had a stale start, conceding a 0-9 run and as Suns' treys went in, their lead improved. Trevor Grech sank a trey for Loyola at the end of the session, but they were still trailing at a distance.

In the second quarter, Loyola stopped Mellieha in their tracks. They began to eat away at their deficit, although hit by a Vince Spiteri trey. They found the way to basket easier, and they ended the session with Trevor Grech's second trey, and at the interval it was a closer 25-20 match for Suns.

After the break the game became more balanced, as Mellieha started to pick up again, but Loyola were not far behind. Etienne Borg made his points, and a session-ending 7-0 run brought Loyola to just a point down, at 33-34, as the match was wide open. In the final session Loyola momentarily went in front, with their free shots, but they were the last points that Mellieha conceded.

The game turned around and Mellieha began building on a 9-0 run, which went on till the end of the game, with Loyola unable to answer. They still have an outside chance to make the semis, but now only Mosta can be reached.

Suns: 14 Vince Spiteri

Loyola: 15 Trevor Grech, 10 Etienne Borg

Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Jennifer Mangani

Mosta 50

Qormi Kia 68

(10-23)(14-14)(10-21)(16-10)

This game, between two sides passing through a bad patch, ended Qormi's difficult moment, but continued Mosta's slump, ending on the losing side for the third consecutive game.

They are still missing three players, but Qormi also had a couple of regulars absent, as they recovered from their two-game negative run.

A balanced start saw both teams sharing points, but then Mosta, who were 7-4 ahead, started losing possession, and Qormi punished them fully, with a long 19-0 run, snapped only at the end, with a second Oliver Sammut trey.

In the second session Mosta recovered, but could only manage to share the game with their opponents, as Qormi kept control, and their lead remained intact till the half time buzzer. At the interval it was a 37-24 advantage for Qormi.

After the break, Qormi still had control, although treys rained in from both teams. Qormi pushed forward again midway through the quarter, and a 9-0 run, aided by free shots, opened up their lead once again. Mosta stopped the run with a Ray Muscat trey, but the damage had been done, and Qormi could rest on a 58-34 score.

In the final quarter, Qormi kept pumping in their hoops, and when they seemed satisfied, coach Tony Camilleri put in his entire bench of youngsters. Mosta took the opportunity to hike up their score, with a 14-2 run, but they were still way behind at the end of the match. This win kept Qormi at the top of the standings.

Mosta: 17 Ray Muscat

Qormi: 17 Jason Dalli, 12 Wayne Grixti, 11 Nello Xuereb

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile

Standings: 21 Qormi Kia (9-3), 20 SN Suns Bell Med (8-4), 20 Mellieha SVS (8-4), 18 Mosta (6-6), 17 Loyola Xuereb Inst. (5-7), 12 Floriana (0-12)