Depiro Kyocera 69
BUPA Luxol 90
(24-17) (12-29) (17-18) (16-26)
Luxol made a decisive step forward to claim a place in the play-offs as they established a two hame lead over the same Depiro who had surprised them in the opening league match. Footwork also were happy with the result, being on a level with Luxol.
Luxol included Steve Schembri on the bench for this match, after mising games through injury. The Violets had a good opening, with three hoops and then went on to lead 11-4.Depiro had a great rally, with an 8-0 run, before Luxol could react. But Depiro were on a high as their speed and pressing unsettled Luxol, who were unable to reply fully, and Depiro amassed a 12-4 run to lead 24-17 after the first session.
In the second session Luxol made a good rally and made up a 14-2 break to slip past Depiro and establish a lead. Depiro reorganised themselves to go back into contention but then Reuben Dalli burst in the scene for Luxol, raining points from all angles, including a couple of free shots. depiro were unable to keep hold of him and at the interval Luxol enjoyed a 46-36 lead.
After the break Depiro sank a trey, only to suffer further from Dalli. Luxol then spent their time replying to every Depiro basket as they kept a constant lead over their opponents. Malcolm Mallia had quite a good outing for Depiro, with assists from his team mates. Free shots at the end kept Luxol on a 64-53 advantage after three sessions.
The last quarter saw Luxol in control as Depiro tried to mount a recovery. The Violets kept long possession and mae decisive points, including another Reuben Dalli trey, to keep their opponents in check. Then to rub it all, they hit Depiro with a 9-0 run, as Dalli kept up his scoring rate. There was not muh time left for Depiro, as Luxol won fifth league game.
Depiro: R. Vella 15, M. Sammut 4, M. Shoults P. Shoults 16, C. Agius 5, J. Vella, M. Ciantar 2, J. Vassallo, E. Lupo 4, M. Mallia 12, D. Agius 15
Luxol: A Cremona 12, M. Mercieca 10, R. Azzopardi, M Micallef, D. Schembri 5, B. Micallef Trigona, M. Bonnici 3, R. Dalli 28, A. Bianchi 6, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 26, E. Schembri.
Referees: Stephen Micallef, Carlo Farrugia
Hamrun Go-Mobile 85
Siggiewi Smina 50
(19-10) (21-11) (21-13) (22-16)
Hamrun went back to the top of the standings, beating bottom club Siggiewi for the third time this season. Sometimes displaying over confidence and, at times, great team play, Liberty had a comfortable vctory.
Hamrun started in leisurely fashion and Siggiewi took advantage to twice go in front before Liberty co-ordinated their game and put in a 12-0 run with two Alan Borg treys. Although Siggiewi managed to conclude on two occasions before the end of the first session, it was Abraham Portelli’s trey which helped Liberty to a 19-10 lead.
In the second quarter Bernard riolo mae two quick hoops for Siggiewi before Hamrun could settle down. The latter then put in an 8-2 run to extend their lead again but Jeffrey Gatt made his presence felt in teh Hamrun zone,as Siggiewi cut down their deficit but Liberty finished off the sesion with Steve Pace’s fast breaks and a Karl borg trey, for an 11-0 run and a 40-21 score.
After the break Siggiewi once more came to the fore as Hamrun made another slow start. There was still a difference in points and Liberty quickly made amends with an 8-0 run starting with Steve Pace’s free-shots. Siggiewi recovered with a couple of hoops but Omar Said made his presence felt at last, with a trey and Hamrun ended the third session on a 63-34 lead.
The last sesion was played in an open manner, given the substantial Hamrun lead. Play was spread even as Hamrun made several changes on court. Liberty ended the game on a12-2 run, for their tenth win from 11 games.
Hamrun : S. Pace 2, K. Borg 3, D. Camilleri 4, A. Spiteri 4, A. Borg 10, A. Portelli 9, O. Said 20, N. Falzon 2, I. Terribile 2, S. Gouder 4
Siggiewi: P. Ferrante 4, J. Doughty 3, A. Agius 2, R. Mifsud 8, B. Riolo 6, A. Farrugia 6, C. Grixti 10, J. Gatt 11
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara