Pembroke Athleta 88
Depiro Kyocera 71
(25-15)(21-21)(20-11)(22-23)
Pembroke kept a tight hold on the game, as they progressed to the final. As expected, Depiro tried their utmost, but their opponents had too many guns, and oozed confidence throughout the match.
Pembroke were once more without Etienne Bezzina. It was Depiro with the better opening, with Peter Shoults leading them to a 10-2 score, but Pembroke put in a 10-0 run. Depiro had a reaction but Pembroke had the better ending, and they enjoyed a 25-16 favourable score.
Pembroke kept pressing their opponents at the start of the second session, increasing their lead to a 34-20 score. Depiro had a strong reaction, and a couple of treys made the score more agreeable, although they were still in arrears. For the rest of the session the game was more balanced, but Pembroke always seemed to be in control. At the interval it was a 46-37 score.
After the break Pembroke hit Depiro with a 7-0 run before the latter could make a reaction, but Pembroke went back on course, as Julian Naudi put in two quick treys, to keep a handsome lead. Till the end of the quarter Pembroke’s lead remained constant and with a session to go they held a 66-48 advantage.
In the final quarter, Depiro made a better effort and made inroads into their deficit. Pembroke held them off in the second part of the quarter, as their lead gave them no cause for concern.
Depiro couldn’t get significantly nearer and Pembroke could keep command of the match, which was in their hands some minutes after the start.
Pembroke: M Naudi 29, J Naudi13, M Zammit 17, J Galea, M Pisani, JP Azzopardi 9, D Cuschieri 18, D Ross 2.
Depiro: R Vella 17, M Sammut, M Shoults, P Shoults 21, C Agius 7, J Vella, M Ciantar 1, J Vassallo, E Lupo 7, A Shoults, M Mallia, D Agius 18.
Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Gordon Barbara.
BUPA Luxol 58
Hamrun L Go Mobile 70
(19-12)(9-20)(19-17)(11-21)
It is Hamrun to face Pembroke in the KO final, as they beat off Luxol’s challenge, to make it two out of three this season against the Violets. Liberty had the better finish to the game, running out comfortable winners.
Luxol were back at full strength, with Micallef Trigona’s inclusion. Hamrun had Adrian Sultana missing once more.
It was Luxol who had the better opening, with a 7-0 run, and a Steve Schembri trey, although Schembri limped off soon after.
Liberty recovered through Abraham Portelli, to 8-11 down, but Luxol had a steady game, and Robert Azzopardi sank a trey, to increase Luxol’s lead again. At the interval it was a 19-12 game.
In the second session Luxol went on to a maximum 25-14 lead at the start, but Liberty started to settle down and Omar Said’s free throws started off a 16-2 run which changed the result. At the interval Hamrun were 32-28 ahead.
After the break Hamrun held off Luxol’s early challenge, and pushed clear at 41-31.
Hamrun kept their lead for some time, but Omar Said went on the bench with four fouls, and Luxol went close, after a Dirk Schembri trey, in a 6-0 run. Then a Robert Azzopardi trey right at the end made it a close 49-47 game for Liberty.
Both teams opened up the last session at a furious pace. Dirk Schembri hit Liberty with a series of treys, to reply to Liberty’s points and tied the match, at 56-56.
Hamrun went back in front, and enjoyed a 12-point lead, which they kept till the end. Hamrun controlled the last stages to confront Pembroke in the KO final.
Luxol: A Cremona 7, M Mercieca 9, R Azzopardi. M Micallef, D Schembri 12, B Micallef Trigona 1, M Bonnici, R Dalli, A Bianchi 12, E Caruana Montaldo, S Cassar 12, S Schembri 5.
Hamrun: S Pace 4, K Borg 5, D Camilleri 11, A Spiteri 4, A Portelli 16, O Said 23, J Jetson 7, M Falzon, I Terribile, S Gouder.
Refs: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef.