Both sides started at a fast pace and it was Pembroke with an early lead at 7-4. Luxol settled down and an 8-0 run gave them the advantage. Pembroke once more shared play with their opponents but Luxol’s lead was still intact. Near the end of the quarter Luxol’s insistence improved on their lead as Chris Sammut’s assists found their mark for a 29-17 lead.
In the second session the scoring died down from both sides. Pembroke were always at a distance as Luxol, although failing in attack, were tight at the back until the last few moments, as Michael Naudi took over and a couple of treys in a ten-point run pushed Pembroke in a better position, although still in arrears. The score at the interval was 37-34 for Luxol.
After the break Pembroke didn’t take long o forge ahead, in a positive spell, and an 11-0 run. But free shots started the Violets’ comeback as they tied the game at 47-47. It was ding-dong from then on till the end of the session as Pembroke left it till late, with Michael Naudi making it 52-52 right on time in the third session.
The fourth quarter found Luxol’s insistence being rewarded and Marco Mercieca’s hoops helped in a 60-54 favourable score. Pembroke kept playing their usual game and managed to overhaul their opponents thanks to Michael Naudi again. Balacchino’s trey then gave them the lead they needed in the last minute to hold off their opponents and record their third victory over Luxol this season.
Luxol: C. Sammut 6, M. Mercieca 6, R. Azzopardi 6, M. Micallef R. Schembri. M. Portera, C. Pulis, R. Dalli, D. Schembri 16, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 13, S. Schembri 15
Pembroke:M. Naudi 28, . Zammit, N. Lubrano, E. Bezzina 7, J. Galea, T.Riolo 6, C. Calleja, A. Micallef 3, D. Cuschieri 7, K. Baldacchino 7, J. Gatt 9
Referees:Emanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara
Siggiewi Smina 52
Hamrun Go Mobile 53
(13-21, 23-7, 4-13, 12-12)
Siggiewi had Louis Camilleri back on the bench and Liberty, besides Omar Said, also had Albert Spiteri missing through family mourning.
Hamrun exploited Siggiewi’s weakness at the back, to storm into an 8-0 lead. Siggiewi recovered and Peter Shoults’ trey pushed his side into an 8-12 deficit. Hamrun replied with a couple of treys from the Borg brothers and by the end of the first session they held a 21-13 lead.
The second session was disastrous for Liberty. Steve Sammut started off Siggiewi with his treys. Hamrun recovered with Jude Jetson’s hoops but it was Siggiewi who dictated play till the end of the session and they compiled a strong 13-1 run to overhaul their opponents and enjoy a healthy 36-28 lead at the interval.
After the break it was a different story, as Siggiewi were losing possession and Hamrun, with nothing extraordinary, pulled themselves back and Alan Borg and Jude Jetson gave Liberty the lead. Siggiewi nearly got it back but Hamrun held on, to lead 41-40.
In the last quarter Louis Camilleri went on court for Siggiewi but soon gave up his place. Hamrun made a couple of hoops and Siggiewi replied with a single one but half the session was already over and both sides were struggling.
Peter Shoults was left unmarked and sank a trey to put Siggiewi ahead as they followed up to lead 50-45 late in the game.
Hamrun missed five free shots in a row but with Siggiewi losing possession and also failing their shots, Hamrun survived and a rebound by Jude Jetson and a last gasp hoop by Adrian Bonnici gave Liberty the spoils and their second league victory in a match in which they didn’t deserve to win.
Siggiewi: R. Mifsud 6, S. Sammut 14, L. Camilleri, J. Doughty 3, H. Agius, M. Barberi, P. Shoults 19, J. P. Bonnici 1, P. Ferrante, S. Saabrian 5, A. Huizer 4, E. Xuereb
Hamrun: S. Pace, K. Borg , d. Camilleri, A. Borg 15, A. Portelli 5, J. Jetson 17, A. Bonnici 19, I. Terribile, N. Falzon
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut.