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By George Georgakopoulos
PAOK has caught up with Panionios in the third spot of the basketball league after the Nea Smyrni high-flyers lost at Rethymno and PAOK defeated Kolossos on Rhodes last weekend. Panionios suffered only its fourth reverse of the season, losing 78-68 to AGO Rethymnou that remains in fifth. PAOK fared better on the road, downing Kolossos 70-65 to practically confirm its top-four finish in the regular season. Leader Olympiakos saw off host Kavala 94-76 on Sunday, while Cup winner Panathinaikos dismissed KAO Dramas 87-70 in Athens on Monday, but is waving goodbye to former NBA player Jason Kapono who asked to leave in protest for his small playing time in the Athens giant. Zoran Vrkic led his current club, Ikaros Kallitheas, to an 88-79 away win over his previous club, Peristeri, and got voted as the Most Valuable Player of the weekend. Aris edged out Apollon Patras 68-64 at home and Ilisiakos took another stride toward safety through its 66-63 win over bottom team Panelefsiniakos. The league will take a break next week due to the All-Star Game weekend on March 9-10. | 
