Pembroke Athleta 91

Depiro Kerygma 66

(16-27, 12-18, 18-20, 20-26)

Pembroke reacted after their defeat at the hands of Liberty to record a good win over Depiro and make it three wins against them this season.

Pembroke dominated from the start and pressed their opponents into submission.

It was a depleted Pembroke side that took to the court with Etienne Bezzina abroad, Matthew Zammit injured and Marco Pisani and Don Ross indisposed.

After an early Depiro hoop, Pembroke took over and JP Azzopardi, an ex-Depiro man, sank in two treys in a 12-0 run. Then it was Duncan Cuschieri’s turn and as the treys continued going in, Pembroke’s lead escalated.

Depiro recovered a little at the end of the session, but were hit again by another Cuschieri trey for a 27-16 score.

In the second session, Depiro managed to creep closer after falling further behind. They did not get quite close enough after some Pembroke lapses, but as time went on, it was the champions who started to dictate play again.

Some cool finishing produced a late 10-0 run which gave Pembroke a 45-28 score at the interval.

After the break, Depiro shared play at the start but Pembroke soon took over again and a 9-0 run expanded their lead again.

Depiro halted the slide but were still way behind their opponents. Still, they managed to end the session on an 8-0 run and with a quarter to go, it was a 65-46 game.

The last session was played openly with the result in no doubt. Pembroke always kept a tight control, denying Depiro time and again.

Midway through, they compiled a 14-2 run hitting Depiro with fast breaks. On their part, Depiro reacted with a good run, at 10-3, and a couple of treys, but Pembroke were in no fear, with their handsome lead.

Depiro: R. Vella 18, m. Sammut, M. Shoults, P. Shoults 14, C. Agius 15, J. Vella, M. Ciantar 3, J. Vassallo, E. Lupo, M. Mallia 6, D. Agius 10.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 26, J. Naudi 17, J. Galea, T. Degiorgio, JP Azzopardi 24, D. Cuschieri 14, M. Pisani 8, J. Ransley 2.

Refs: Carlo Farrugia, Stephen Micallef.

Footwork 65

Siggiewi Smina 58

(22-8, 10-14, 17-19, 16-17)

Footwork kept on the path for a place in the playoffs, beating bottom club Siggiewi, but had to endure harrowing moments after looking capable of controlling the match. Siggiewi were close, but not enough.

Anthony Huizer was still on the missing list for Footwork while Siggiewi were without Roderick Mifsud and Bernardo Riolo.

After a quiet opening by both sides, a trey at either end opened up the game and it was Footwork who forged ahead with a 12-0 run and another couple of treys.

Siggiewi snapped the run with free shots by Jeffrey Gatt but Footwork were in command at the end of the session, on a 22-8 score.

In the second session, Siggiewi’s free shots helped them not to go further behind and then John Doughty continued with a brace of treys to go near on a 19-26 score.

Footwork got over the bad moment and managed to extend their lead again. At the half-time buzzer, it was a 32-22 match.

After the break, Siggiewi came out in a determined mood and slowly began eating away at their deficit, amassing a 12-0 run, ending with a Clint Grixti trey to take the lead.

Footwork’s response was immediate and a couple of treys put them in front again.

Siggiewi were still breaking down their necks but mistakes in attack landed Siggiewi in trouble again. An 11-0 run against them pushed Footwork once more ahead. Siggiewi recovered till the end of the session, but after the third one, it was Footwork leading 49-41.

In the last session when Siggiewi were expected to make a final effort, they were hit hard by Footwork forays and a 9-0 run put a distance between the two teams.

Jeffrey Gatt put some life back in Siggiewi and they managed to cut Footwork’s lead further, but time was running out and Footwork could go on to their fifth league win and a third seasonal victory over Siggiewi.

Footwork: L. Camilleri 10, S. Sammut 14, I. Mercieca 3, C. Sammut 18, M. Barberi 2, JP Bonnici, A. Bonnici 18, E. Xuereb.

Siggiewi: P. Ferrante 8, P. Falzon, J. Doughty 9, H. Agius 3, A. Farrugia, C. Grixti 7, J. Gatt 31.

Refs: Bernard Vassallo, Stephen Micallef.

Hamrun L. GoMobile 73

BUPA Luxol 63

(15-9, 17-16, 19-16, 22-22)

Hamrun went back to the top of the standings after beating Luxol in a tough match. They are ahead of Pembroke on a basket difference.

Hamrun went into the lead early and never relinquished their advantage.

Luxol were without the injured Steve Schembri, but recovered Silvio Cassar. It was a quiet start as Liberty garnered a couple of hoops before Robert Azzopardi sank in a trey for Luxol.

Hamrun still kept the upper hand and their lead, but points were scarce. Albert Spiteri’s baskets helped them to a 12-5 lead.

Luxol managed to keep it close but Omar Said’s three-point play at the end of the session made it a 15-9 game.

In the second quarter, Hamrun started off again and free shots opened up their lead. Luxol responded and another Azzopardi trey opened up possibilities. Liberty were having difficulty in their shots and Luxol were coming more into the game. Hamrun managed to keep their lead till the interval, on a 32-25 score.

After the break, Hamrun slipped in a trey by Alan Borg after a hoop by Jide Jetson, but Luxol recovered quickly and cut down the arrears with some good shooting.

At 41-35, Hamrun recovered again and a 7-0 run gave them a good lead again. Luxol managed to regroup as Azzopardi sank his third trey, but Omar Said, out of the game for some time, put in his trey and after three sessions, it was Hamrun leading 51-41.

At the start of the last quarter, Hamrun went into a maximum lead of 57-41, but Luxol produced some good moments and an 8-0 run brought them back in the game.

Liberty, recovered enough to halt Luxol and open up their lead again.

There was still time and with Albert Spiteri fouled out, Luxol put in their final effort. A couple of hoops gave them hope but Hamrun were holding out.

Luxol tried to stop the clock but Liberty made the free shots and a steal by Karl Borg decided the game, even though the two sides made more points.

Hamrun: S. Pace 9, K. Borg 2, D. Camilleri 4, A. Spiteri 14, A. Borg 9, A. Portelli, O. Said 23, J. Jetson 12, N. Falzon, I. Terribile, A. Sultana, S. Gouder.

Luxol: A. Cremona, M. Mercieca 6, R. Azzopardi 22, M. Micallef, D. Schembri 4, B. Micallef Trigona, M. Bonnici 2, R. Dalli 4, A. Bianchi 6, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 17.

Refs: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara.

Standings

9-1 Hamrun L. GoMobile 17 pts; 9-1 Pembroke Athleta 17; 5-5 Footwork 15; 4-6 BUPA Luxol 14; 3-7 Depiro Kerygma 13; 0-10 Siggiewi Smina 10.