The champions gained their sixth seasonal victory over Depiro, and also obtaining a comfortable win, after an even opening session. Depiro then fell away in the middle two sessions, on either side of the interval. It seemed to be a clear message from the Violets, seeing that these same two teams will be meeting in the Super Cup final, in a few days' time.

Depiro had Sassoun Saakian still missing, and David Bugeja was also absent, but Gavin Muscat rerturned, after missing the last match.

Isaac Tanti started Depiro off with a couple of hoops, and the Violets replied with a good 10-2 run, as Marco Matijevic poured in his baskets. Depiro stopped the run with a David Agius trey, and then the Mtarfa outfit went on to a 9-0 run, and a 15-10 advantage.

The champions recovered to draw level, only for Depiro to forge in front once more. BUPA then tied the score twice, before the end of the period, which had a fast and furious opening.

In the second quarter BUPA's free shots, mainly through Robert Azzopardi, helped them to a 27-21 lead. Depiro stopped their opponents, only for the champions to put in a 10-2 run, with Matijevic points. When Depiro rallied, it was Andrew Aquilina with a trey, but Dirk Schembri's points put the Violets on a solid 47-30 advantage till the interval.

After the break, BUPA began to pile on the pressure, and Depiro started to wilt. A strong opening 15-2 run included treys from Alan Borg and Steve Schembri twice.

Depiro finally stopped their adversaries, but BUPA made a further 13-2 run, as Steve Schembri rammed in two more treys. Roderick Vella gave Depiro some respite, but the champions had taken a sound 77-38 lead, with a session to go.

The two teams were more evenly matched in the final quarter, as BUPA had Mark Micallef with a trey, but Depiro replied with a 7-0 run, as Jeffrey Gatt was operating well in the zone.

Depiro then replied to BUPA's next points, but late in the period BUPA put in a further couple of treys, by Edgar Caruana Montaldo and Steve Schembri, to put the seal on a positive performance.

BUPA: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca, 8 R. Azzopardi, 3 M. Micallef, 10 A. Borg, 2 A. Portelli, 2 N. Vasovic, 2 T. Paris, 15 D. Schembri, 5 E. Caruana Montaldo, 24 M. Matijevic, 21 S. Schembri

Depiro: 8 R. Vella, 1 G. Muscat, 3 A. Aquilina, 20 J. Gatt, 12 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 10 I. Tanti, 3 D. Agius

Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile

Standings

Compleet IS SW and BUPA Luxol 21 points; Siggiewi Smina 16; Depiro 15, Qormi 11.