Hamrun L. GoMobile 79
Pembroke Athleta 62
(19-27)(12-10)(17-9)(31-16)
Pembroke had to concede defeat again against a resolute Liberty side who showed their determination coming back from an 11-point deficit in the second session. Pembroke’s progress wasn’t enough and Liberty are now in pole position.
Pembroke had Jonathan Ransley missing and David Camilleri the same for Hamrun. After Hamrun’s initial trey, Pembroke had a quick reply with a 10-0 run, and a Julian Naudi trey. Liberty took time to settle down but they gradually returned, and a 10-1 run pushed them to a 16-13 lead. Pembroke recovered enough to overturn the result, and after Liberty tied the game it was Pembroke who forged ahead again, and a 9-1 run made it a 27-19 game.
In the second session Matthew Zammit ensured that Pembroke’s lead remained intact, as he had the better of Hamrun’s defence. Pembroke enjoyed a 34-23 lead when Liberty started to crawl back into the game. Pembroke’s lead didn’t alter much though, and at the interval they were still 37-31 in front despite Hamrun’s pressure.
After the break Liberty continued their haul back. An 8-0 run, with a rare Albert Spiteri trey, gave them the lead. Pembroke tied the game twice before going ahead, with a Duncan Cuschieri trey. The lead changed hands twice more before Karl Borg popped up with a last-second trey to put Liberty 48-46 after three sessions.
Pembroke tried to keep in touch at the start of the last session but Hamrun were growing in stature and a 9-0 run produced a 59-48 lead after three minutes. Pembroke’s efforts took a jolt when they began losing players on fouls and Michael Pisani sent off. Hamrun played out time with their lead over their opponents. Pembroke tried to halt the game clock but to no avail as Liberty inexorably went on to their second final win and a whisker away from the league title.
Hamrun: S Pace 13, K Borg 8, A Spiteri 11, A Borg 9, A Portelli 8, O Said 11, J Jetson 19, N Falzon, I Terribile, A Sultana, S Gouder.
Pembroke: M Naudi 12, J Naudi 7, M Zammit 25, E Bezzina 6, J Galea, C Calleja, J Zammit, D Cuschieri 8, M Pisani, D Ross 2.
Referees: Emmanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara