Pembroke Athleta 63
BUPA Luxol 71
(13-20)(12-24)(15-17)(23-10)
(Agg. 83-71)
Pembroke won the Louis Borg Cup for the third time, against different opponents, as they came from behind to claim the prize. A late rally made the issue safe and the protest won the day before took on important proportions.
After Pembroke's successful protest the day before, Luxol left out Reuben Dalli and Matthew Bonnici, to conform with the Louis Borg Cup rules.
Pembroke had a good 5-0 start, including a Duncan Cuschieri trey, but Luxol were in the match with a good run, at 11-2, with treys by young Mark Micallef and Steve Schembri. Pembroke couldn't regain the lead and it was Luxol at 20-13 after the first session.
In the second session Pembroke found difficulty in obtaining points, after a trey by JP Azzopardi. Luxol's Micallef was still putting in his shots and Steve Schembri began raining in his treys, as Pembroke's overall lead was whittled down to a mere point and soon after it was level. Pembroke went back in the lead once more but Luxol were still close and at the interval it was a one-point match overall, at 45-44.
After the break Luxol kept on with their positive streak. Pembroke recovered momentarily, as Michael Naudi was introduced as a last measure.
Luxol still managed a 13-2 run, as they swept into an overall lead. Pembroke rallied back at the end of the session to reduce their deficit to a mere point overall with an 8-0 run. Score at 61-60 for Luxol.
In the last session Pembroke kept up their run, with another 7-0 break but Luxol had a reply with a 10-0 run and two treys. Michael Naudi then took the game in hand with a personal 7-0 run, to put Pembroke back in front. Then it was the turn of brother Julian and Pembroke were home and dry with a minute to go.
After the game, MBA president Emeritus Louis Borg presented the trophies and medals with Luxol protestations that the presentation shouldn't take place due to their protest before the game.
Pembroke: M Naudi, J Naudi, M Zammit, E Bezzina, J Galea, J Zammit, JP Azzopardi, D Cuschieri, M Pisani, J Ransley, D Ross.
Luxol: C Pulis, M Mercieca, R Azzopardi, M Micallef, D Schembri, B Micallef Trigona, A Bianchi, A Cremona. S Cassar, S Schembri.
Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Gordon Barbara.