Suns managed to win their first game in four matches against Mosta, and also inflicted another defeat, their fourth in a row, against the same opponents.

Mosta now have Loyola on equal points, and the last two matches will decide the fourth play-off place. Suns are now going for the top spot, as they are just behind leaders Qormi.

Suns recovered Michel Curmi, while Mosta were a depleted lot, with nearly half of their side missing for this match.

Suns made an early good start, with a Vince Spiteri trey, and went on to an 11-0 lead. Mosta took time to recover, and they were hit by another Mark Schembri trey. The two sides then shared the play, but Suns still enjoyed a good lead.

In the second quarter Vince Spiteri started off again with another trey, as Suns raced on to a 29-11 lead. Mosta at last replied with an 11-4 run, which got them nearer, but not enough, as Suns got back in their stride, repeating Mosta’s 11-4 run, and at the interval it was a 44-26 game, with Suns in control.

After the break Suns opened with yet another trey, by Michel Curmi, as they were still in command, but midway through the session a Mosta revival, and an 8-2 run, gave them hope again.

Suns’ recovery increased their lead slightly, and after three sessions they were leading 59-42, despite Adrian Pace’s third trey.

In the final quarter Ray Muscat found his shooting touch for Mosta, but Roberto Formosa was replying at the other end. Suns’ lead was never in doubt, and as time pressed, Suns picked up again to move yet more clear, and it was only Muscat’s final points which made it a closer game at the end, than it actually was.

Suns: 23 Roberto Formosa, 11 Vince Spiteri

Mosta: 16 Ray Muscat, 16 Joe Micallef

Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Gordon Barbara

Floriana 28

Qormi Kia 75

(3-23)(4-18)(9-15)(12-19)

Qormi could rest their minds on their top placing when meeting bottom-club Floriana. They had a very comfortable win, their third over the Greens this season.

Qormi recovered Simon Cauchi, after two games, and Adrian Baldacchino, sporting a face mask, after four matches, for a full strength side. They opened up strongly, with fleet-footed Keith Scicluna sinking his hoops, ably helped by Wayne Grixti and Jason Dalli, as Qormi ran up a 15-0 advantage.

Floriana were still on the receiving end till the end of the session.

In the second quarter it was still difficult for Floriana, as Qormi went on with their fast play. The Greens only mustered a couple of baskets, and the league leaders ended the session on a 10-0 run, mostly from the hands of Antoine Grech. At the interval it was a 41-7 match.

After the break the game was a quieter affair. Points were scarce at first, but they picked up a bit later on. Floriana replied to every Qormi basket at first, but as Qormi increased their tempo, they finished up the session with an Adrian Baldacchino trey, for a 56-16 score.

In the final session Anthony Shoults combined well with Gauci Grech, for Floriana’s opening points, but Keith Scicluna was a constant threat to Floriana’s defence, with his fast breaks. Qormi put in their young subs for the remainder of the match, as they grabbed the last six points.

Floriana: 12 Glenn Gauci Grech

Qormi: 25 Keith Scicluna, 10 Antoine Grech

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 57

Mellieha SVS 53

(19-12)(16-9)(11-17)(11-15)

Loyola made it three wins out of four against Mellieha this season, but Loyola are fighting for a play-off place with Mosta, while Mellieha are sure of their third spot in the standings, It was an exciting match, which went on till the last moments, for a winner to emerge.

Loyola had a number of players missing, such as Clive Bonnici, Sam Farrugia, Keith Galea and Etienne Borg. On the other hand Joshua Aquilina was not present for Mellieha.

Loyola had the better opening, with a 6-2 run, before the two teams began putting in their treys, with Loyola holding on to their lead after the first session.

In the second quarter Mellieha went stale, as Loyola forced their play, and their pressure gained a long 13-2 run. Mellieha recovered late in the session, but Loyola did not permit them to recover lost ground. At the interval it was a 35-21 lead for Loyola.

After the break Mellieha started having things their own way, and a Lawrence Deguara trey got them off to a 14-4 run, and a 35-40 score. Loyola stopped their opponents’ run and slightly increased their lead, for a 46-38 score after three sessions.

In the final quarter Mellieha came out for their final fling. A couple of treys brought them back in contention. Loyola were rocked, but they hung on to their lead as time passed. Mellieha kept pressing and another Ian Curmi trey brought them to just a hoop down, with less than a minute to go. It was not enough, as Loyola added a couple of free throws, to make sure, and go alongside Mosta in the table.

Loyola: 16 Trevor Grech, 13 Clayton Debono

Mellieha: 15 Ian Curmi, 11 Samuel Aquilina

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Standings: 23 Qormi Kia (10-3), 22 SN Suns Bell Med (9-4), 21 Mellieha SVS (8-5), 19 Mosta (6-7), 19 Loyola Xuereb Inst. (6-7), 13 Floriana (0-13)