Sliema jumped to the top of the standings again, beating Luxol for the third time in four games this season. It was close for the best part of the game, but late in the second session Sliema took command, and the last quarter was their own. their only regret is the injury suffered by Michael Naudi, in the opening session, but which really didn't hamper them in their victorious display.
Sliema had Matthew Zammit missing, and Tino Riolo is still abroad, but they recovered Omar Said, back from his suspension, Duncan Cuschieri and Silvio Cassar, after missing their last game.
Both teams missed their attempts in the first minutes, but gradually they settled down. Sliema went into an 8-2 lead, with Adrian Micallef confirming his good spell.
Jide jetson replied for Luxol, and then the treys started. Omar Said and Duncan Cuschieri for Sliema, and Luxol's Steve Schembri in vetween. At this time Sliema's Michael Naudi retired injured, with back problems. Till the end of the session there were only a couple of Steve Schembri's free shots, as Luxol crept nearer.
In the second session Robert Azzopardi's trey for Luxol tied the score.
Sliema went ahead again, but a couple of steals and conclusions by Chris Sammut, gave the Violets the lead for the first time, at 23-18. Sliema went to a point down, but were stopped by Steve Schembri's points. in the final minute the treys came again, twice Etienne Bezzina for Sliema and Sammut for Luxol. it wasn't over, as Duncan Cuschieri sank his second trey, as Sliema finished the session, at the interval, 36-34 in front.
After the break Sliema managed a 7-0 run, with a third Cuschieri trey, but their increased lead didn't last long, as Luxol replied admirably, with a strong 13-4 run, with two treys by Alan Borg and another by Sammut, for a 47-47 tie. After such an exertion Luxol suffered another setback, as Sliema came up with a 10-0 run, anding with treys by Silvio Cassar and Cuschieri's fourth.
Caruana Montaldo picked Luxol up with a couple of treys, but after three sessions Sliema were still 57-51 ahead.
In the last quarter Luxol were hit yet again, as Bezzina and Omar Said shared the hoops in a 9-0 long run.
Luxol were denied for the best part of the session, and Sliema's long possessions killed off any hopes of a Violets comeback. Alan Borg's trey stopped the run, and despite another Sammut trey, sliema were not to be denied. They had enough of a lead, and Cassar's second trey sealed the result.
BUPA Luxol: 17 C. Sammut, M. Mercieca, 3 R. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, 9 A. Borg, A. Bianchi, M. Portera, R. Dalli, D.Schembri, 4 E. Caruana Montaldo, 8 J. Jetson, 19 s. Schembri
Sliema: M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 13 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, T. Vella, 22 O. Said, 12 A. Micallef, 14 D. Cuschieri, 4 K. Baldacchino, 7 S. Cassar, 2 J. Gatt
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef
Floriana 76
Qormi Kia 81
(21-21)(17-14)(21-27)(17-19)
This bottom of the standings match resulted in an enthralling encounter, which finally went Qormi's way, as they avenged the defeat they suffered in the first round. Their second league win has clutched them out of the bottom rung, leaving Floriana behind them. It could have been anybody's game, but Qormi lasted the match better and took the spoils.
Floriana had Vanya Torbarov missing, and Qormi recovered Sam Farrugia, who was returning after missing a number of games.
Roderick Mifsud opened up well for Floriana, as they gained a 6-1 lead, but Antoine Grech's free shots and Adrian Baldacchino's trey, in a 7-0 run, turned the score around.
Floriana recovered as Don Ross went on court, and promptly sank a trey. Not to be outdone Wayne Grixti put in a trey for Qormi. The lead changed hands several times in an exhilarating first session, that ended all square, with Grixti sinking his second trey.
In the second quarter both sides were still at it. Gauci Grech's trey for Floriana saw them just ahead, but Qormi twice tied the score. Floriana went four points in the lead, but Roberto Formosa went on court for Qormi, and began putting hoops in, including a trey, as his side were just a point down. Floriana kept their noses in front, and at the halfway stage they were leading 38-35.
After the break Floriana managed to increase their lead, but Qormi suddenly clicked, and Grixti's contribution in a strong 15-0 run, including his third trey, found the Dark Blues on a 50-42 favourable score.
Floriana didn't recover properly. as Qormi went on with their positive spell, for a 59-45 score.
The momentum died down, and Floriana embarked on an 11-0 run, with a Karl Borg trey, to get close enough, only to be jolted with a Simon Cauchi trey. Gauci Grech replied likewise for Floriana, and with a session to go Qormi held a small 62-59 lead.
In the final quarter Karl Borg's second trey put Floriana ahead. Cauchi sank a trey at the other end, his second, for his side's lead.
Floriana's efforts found Qormi's defence very sound, but in the last minute the Greens tried to stop the clock, and Don Ross' trey made it a one hoop game. Simin Cauchi's final free shots closed down the match for Qormi, as time ran out for Floriana.
Floriana: 1 B. Riolo, 6 N. Sultana, J. Paris, 11 A. Sultana, 1 B. Grech, 12 K. Borg, 2 G. Gilson, 13 R. Mifsud, 8 G. Gauci Grech, 22 D. Ross
Qormi: 14 W. Grixti, 9 A. Grech, 7 K. Scicluna, J. Anastasi, A. Camilleri, S. Farrugia, 15 R. Formosa, 9 J. Dalli, R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 14 S. Cauchi, 13 A. Baldacchino
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro