Pembroke 63

Depiro Kyocera 50

(23-13)(18-7)(10-15)(12-15)

Smarting from the two defeats suffered earlier on in the season against Depiro, Pembroke made sure of keeping their second spot in the table, as they ably controlled Depiro's efforts.

Pembroke included Matthew Zammit, for the second time this season, in lieu of the injured Jeffrey Gatt.

On their part, Depiro had Don Ross and Clayton Agius missing from their line-up.

At first Depiro replied to Pembroke's early points, but then Etienne Bezzina repeatedly beat the Depiro defence with personal points, and Michael Naudi chipped in with a trey, for a 10-0 run. Depiro recovered till the end of the session, but Pembroke had their double-figure lead.

In the second session, Pembroke had a good opening, and a 12-2 run with a couple of treys, had a taming effect on Depiro. They only had a limited reply, and Pembroke could swing the ball around with ease, although they also tapered off till the interval, but the score was well in their favour, at 41-20.

After the break, Depiro took the initiative with a bright start, but Pembroke recovered to regain their previous lead. Then Depiro profited from a couple of good patches, but they hardly dented Pembroke's advantage. After three sessions it was a 51-35 match.

In the final quarter both sides had early points, as Pembroke made sure that Depiro did not encroach further. It was a stalemate in points, as the scoring dwindled a bit. Near the end Depiro sank a couple of treys but the difference was still prohibitive, and Pembroke could coast through, for their first victory over Depiro this season.

Pembroke: 17 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, N. Lubrano, 15 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, T. Riolo, 2 C. Calleja, 12 A. Micallef, 2 D. Cuschieri, 11 K. Baldacchino, 4 M. Zammit

Depiro: 12 R. Vella, 4 G. Muscat, 3 J. Rodriguez, C. Bugeja, 2 A. Aquilina, J. Vella, 1 M. Ciantar, 5 J.P. Azzopardi, 10 E. Lupo, C. Cassar, 7 M. Mallia, 6 D. Agius

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Carlo Farrugia

Luxol Bupa 67

Siggiewi Smina 66

(10-18)(20-16)(19-9)(18-22)

In another very close game this time Luxol finished on the happy end, after their similar defeat by Hamrun.

For the second time this season, Siggiewi saw victory snatched away from them in the last seconds.

Luxol had in-form Dirk Schembri missing while Siggiewi had an unchanged side after their victory over Depiro, in their last game.

There was a slow start by both sides, but Siggiewi were the first to settle down, with a Steve Sammut trey, in a 14-2 rub, to open up a lead. Silvio Cassar's free shots stopped the surge and a Steve Schembri trey in the last seconds pulled Luxol back.

Free shots at the start of the second period took the Violets to within a point, in a 7-0 run, but Siggiewi recovered in time, and they sank three hoops in a row, for a 24-17 score.

Play was then shared by both sides as Siggiewi held on to their lead. Marco Mercieca came to Luxol's rescue with his points, as they nibbled away at the deficit, till the interval, with an 8-0 run. Score at 34-30 for Siggiewi.

After the break Luxol went into the lead, thanks to an 8-2 opening, but Siggiewi drew level twice, despite a Robert Azzopardi trey. Luxol persisted, and with the Siggiewi defence in disarray. the Violets made the last points of the third session, for a 49-43 advantage.

When Siggiewi threatened at the start of the last quarter, Robert Azzopardi sank another trey for Luxol, but Siggiewi kept pegging away, to a 51-54 deficit.

Luxol added to their lead, but lost Silvio Cassar on fouls. Siggiewi went near with a Michael Barberi trey, but they lost a couple of players on fouls too.

Another Barberi trey put Siggiewi in front. With the score tied at 66-66, Chris Sammut put in a free throw at the end to give the game to Luxol, and keep their third spot in the table.

Luxol: 9 C. Sammut, 8 M. Mercieca, 12 R. Azzopardi, M. MIcallef, M. Portera, C. Pulis, 2 R. Dalli, 2 E. Caruana Montaldo, 17 S. Cassar, 17 S. Schembri

Siggiewi: R. Mifsud, 6 S. Sammut, 10 L. Camilleri, 2 J. Doughty, H. Agius, 8 M. Barberi, 18 P. Shoults, 4 J.P. Bonnici, M. Shoults, S. Saakian, 9 A. Huizer, 2 E. Xuereb

Referees: E. Mangani, G. Barbara

Standings: 8 Hamrun L. Go Mobile (4-0), 8 Pembroke (3-2), 8 Luxol BUPA (3-2), 6 Siggiewi Smina (1-4), 6 Depiro Kyocera (1-4)