Luxol now have made sure of a place in the championship pool, after brushing aside Depiro, the same team who had surprised them in the previous round of play.

The top three teams are out in front, and the bottom three now look towards the relegation pool, in the next phase.

Depiro had David Agius abroad, after his fantastic game against Siggiewi, and Antoine Costa was out injured. Luxol were without Edgar Caruana Montaldo.

The Violets had a good start, with Alan Borg already two treys to the good, just after a minute’s play. Luxol then went on a 12-2 lead. Depiro’s recovery was hampered by Jide Jetson, who put in two hoops from the paint. When Depiro finally got going there was Chris Sammut with another trey for Luxol, as they ground out a good first session lead.

In the second quarter Luxol were still pressing their adversaries, and they increased their lead at the start, and Robert Azzopardi was putting in his hoops.

When Depiro’s speed began to trouble Luxol, Azzopardi sank a trey, for a 31-15 lead. Depiro managed some more poimts till the end of the session, but Chris Sammut was feeding his team well, and Luxol finished 37-21 ahead at the interval.

After the break there was no let-up for Depiro. An 8-0 Luxol run was snapped by an Andrew Aquilina trey. Luxol went on grabbing hoops and free shots, as Jide Jetson was master in the opposing zone. A 10-2 run in the closing stages of the third session pushed the Violets further ahead, for a 60-30 reassuring score.

The last session was more open, given the score. Luxol were still in control of the situation, but Depiro could have more of the game. Luxol’s treys started again, as Steve Schembri, Robert Azopardi and two more from Alan Borg, gave Luxol supremacy, after a balanced opening to this final quarter. At the end of the match Reuben Dalli sealed Luxol’s performance with his trey.

DEPIRO: 6 R. Vella, 3 C. Cassar, M. Sammut, 8 G. Muscat, 5 A. Quilina, 4 A. Tabone, 6 M. Mallia, 5 B. Zammit, 5 E. Lupo, 2 I. Tanti

LUXOL: 6 C. Sammut, 8 M. Mercieca, 16 R. Azzopardi, 2 M. Micallef, 14 A. Borg, 3 R. Dalli, 12 D. Schembri, A. Bianchi, 16 J. Jetson, 14 S. Schembri.

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef, Anthony Micallef

Standings: 15 Dakar Sliema (7-1), 15 Siggiewi Smina (7-1), 13 Bupa Luxol (5-3), 10 Qormi Kia (2-6), 10 Depiro (2-6), 9 Floriana (1-7)