AN equal round-high 30 points from sharp-shooting guard Joel Khalu has helped Phoenix to the top of the FNQ basketball Super League ladder.

Phoenix beat Choice Cats 106-81 in their third-round clash at the weekend, relegating the free-scoring Cats to their second loss in two outings.

Khalu and Jacob Pilot (19) helped Phoenix post a strong score but were well backed by teammates, who helped the inaugural Super League grand finalists pass the 100-point mark.

Khalu and Pilot were matched point-for-point by Cats pair Adam Piszczuk (30) and Deba George (20), who between them accounted for more than 60 per cent of their team’s total.

While Khalu and Piszczuk poured in the points, their efforts were not enough to snatch player-of-the-week. It went to Cairns Marlins James Comino, who had 28 points to lead Timberwolves to an 85-60 win against All Stars.

Dominant efforts from David Mills (23) and Peterson Opio (21) helped Saints to an 85-54 win against the under-18 Marlins. The final match of the round, between Mulgrave Magic and Innisfail Cyclones was postponed.

On Sunday they meet second-placed Saints at the Bendigo Bank Basketball Centre. Phoenix has the bye.

8 Round three results – Phoenix 106 (J Khalu 30, J Pilot 19) d Choice Cats 81 (A Piszczuk 30, D George 20); Saints 85 (D Mills 23, P Opio 21) d U-18 Cairns Marlins 54 (K George 16, J Mitchell 10); Timberwolves 85 (J Comino 28, K Whelan 20) d All Stars 60 (C Witt 20, G Coe 16). Mulgrave Magic v Innisfail Cyclones to be rescheduled. Player of the week: James Comino (Saints).

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