Malta started off the tournament with a victory over San Marino, which could have been more comprehensive had the locals been more disciplined in their play, and did not seek personal glory at times.
San Marino were in difficulties in the first part of the match, but recovered after the break, to make the game a more competitive one, although Malta were never in any danger of losing the match.
The Maltese had Samuel Deguara to lead them, as the giant youngster was fresh from his satisfying season with Benetton, in Italy. A Maltese-American, Tevin Falzon, was also fielded, helping out the locals to gain a good first win.
Malta went off to an 8-2 start, and enjoyed a double figure lead in the first quarter. In the second Malta were still extending their advantage, but San Marino came more into the picture. At the interval, Malta led 39-17
In the third period, with Deguara on the bench, San Marino got back points through Lorenzo Liberti but Malta replied with Anton Axiaq free shots.
Deguara went back on court, and he complemented Sultana, as their points held Malta on a 56-42 lead, with a session to go.
Malta put in treys by Falzon and JP Schembri at the start of the final session, but Umberto Briganti also sank a trey for San Marino, and Liberti went on with his points, including a couple of treys.
Malta recovered through Deguara, but San Marino made more treys, by Federico Cardinali, Briganti and Liberti. Malta kept their lead with hoops by Tom Paris, as they held out till the end, on a good advantage.
Malta: 14 D. Bugeja, 3 JP Schembri, E, Bonello, C. pereira, G. Cuschieri, 17 N. Sultana, 9 T. Falzon, 6 Tom Paris, 4 A. Axiaq, M. Giusti, R. Galea, 23 S. Deguara
San Marino: 2 F. Bombini, L. Clementi, D. Macina, 8 E. Briganti, G. Moretti, A. Merlini, 18 F. Cardinali, G. Taddei, 2 S. De Biagi, 10 U. Briganti, L. Guerra, 26 L. Liberti
Referees: Vicente Bulto (ESP), Haydn Hones (WAL), Dimitriou Stasiev (MOL)
Other results
Moldova 67, Monaco 64; Andorra 64, Gibraltar 79
Playing today
2.45pm Gibraltar v Wales; 5.00pm San Marino v Moldova; 7.15pm Monaco v Malta