Depiro Mtarfa 65
Tata Motors Loyola 59
(8-11, 20-20, 19-12, 18-16)
Depiro returned from three straight defeats to beat Loyola for the second time this season. They went up to fourth place thanks to direct encounters with Siggiewi. Loyola proved to be a handful until the interval and they also drew level in the last session but finally it was Depiro with the victory.
Both teams played with their latest standard formations.
It wa sDepiro with the better opening as Greg Hamlin put in two quick hoops. Loyola were still behind midway through the period but the remainder of the session was in their hands with a long 7-0 run which had more Rashanti Harris points.
In the second period Loyola held on to their advantage until Depiro made up a three basket spread with Adrian Micallef hoops. The lead then changed hands twice more when JP Azzopardi nailed a trey for Loyola who then followed up with a 7-2 run and further Harris points.
At the interval Loyola were still in front though Roderick Vella sank a last second triple for Depiro for a 31-28 score.
After the break Depiro started with a 8-0 run to jump ahead. Loyola reacted but Depiro were more positive and a 10-2 run ending with an Andrew Aquilina triple extended their lead.
Loyola’s response brought about a david Camilleri triple and with more Harris hoops they went to within a basket of their opponents.
When the last session began Depiro were 47-43 in front. Loyola brought the score levelonly to suffer and 8-2 run with a brace of Vella triples.
Try as they did Loyola did not make up the leeway and depiro held off their adversaries until the final buzzer to recode their second league win.
Depiro:18 R. Vella, JP Schembri, 5 A. Aquilina, S. Borg, 5 A. Portelli, 16 A.Micallef, 2 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 2 I. Tanti, 12 G. Hamlin
Loyola: 7 S. Pace, B. Zammit, 5 D. Camilleri, S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, 2 S. Vella, 11 A. Axiaq, 3 JP Azzopardi, J. Ransley, 31 R. Harris
Referees: G. Barbara, S. Gouder, C. Terribile
Standings
After the fifth round of matches, A-Z Electronics still lead with 10points. They are followed by Floriana Francesco Fenech and Bupa Luxol with eight points, Depiro Mtarfa and Siggiewi on seven and Tata Motors Loyola on five.