By George Georgakopoulos

Panionios and Apollon Patras gave Greek basketball fans a match to remember at Patra on Sunday with the Nea Smyrni club winning 99-93 in the second overtime, while Olympiakos and Panathinaikos continued with victories.

Leader Olympiakos dismissed visiting Ilisiakos 113-75 and challenger Panathinaikos returned from Kavala with a 97-71 win on Sunday, but the weekend was full of exciting encounters in other courts.

Panionios has only one loss in nine games, but its record came under threat from Apollon at Patra on Sunday. The 40 minutes of the game ended 76-76 and the first overtime saw the two teams level at 87-87. It was only in the second overtime that Panionios edged its host out.

Another nail-biting game took place at Drama on Saturday, with local KAOD seeing off Aris 84-81, although the visitors have serious complaints from the referees.

AGO Rethymnou got the better of host Ikaros Kallitheas with a 66-61 score and Peristeri beat Kolossos Rhodes at home 91-89 thanks to a last-gasp three-pointer.

PAOK scored its eighth win in 10 games on Saturday beating promoted Panelefsiniakos 84-78.

On Wednesday Panathinaikos hosts Panionios for the previous round of games in the league.