Hamrun are the new champions as they mastered the fourth match and ran out winners in a close match watched by a large crowd for a midweek match. Pembroke couldn’t produce the comeback of the third game and finally the had to bow their heads.

It was a quiet start by both teams, but Liberty truck first, with an Abraham Portelli trey. Michael Naudi’s hoops kept Pembroke in play, but free shots pushed Hamrun’s lead further and they went on to a 14-4 lead.

pembroke rallied back and Michael Naudi’s insistence brought them level, only for Omar Said to sink a trey and put Liberty ahead again at 17-14 after the first session.

In the second session it was still tight as Pembroke kept breathing behind Liberty’s back. Hamrun did manage to open up a 26-20 lead through Steve Pace’s trey and with Matthew Zammit on the bench for Pembroke. Hamrun were still leading by that score when Michael Naudi took the game in hand once more, aided by a trey, and Pembroke were in front.

Hamrun were strong and pushed forward again. David Camilleri sank a trey from the side and further points extended their lead. They completed an 8-0 run and at the half-time buzzer it was a 36-29 game.

After the break Pembroke did not take long to get back on level terms. Both sides were producing treys, as Pembroke went briefly ahead only for Liberty to go in front again with a Portelli trey and lead 46-42. Pembroke once more made up the difference and Matthew Zammit’s free shot gave them a brief, minimal lead. Jetson popped up for Liberty and the Hamrun side were leading 52-49 after three sessions.

The start of the last session saw Omar Said coming into his own and two treys and further hoops put Hamrun 62-49 in front. Pembroke got stuck in again and a 7-0 run put them on track again.

Hamrun held on as time passed on with Pembroke pressing hard but to no avail as Liberty swung the ball around to play down time. Pembroke’s last frantic efforts were in vain and Hamrun won their second league title again after an absence of 21 years.

After the match, a Kinnie representative presented the trophies, together with MBA president magistrate Antonio Mizzi, amidst jubilation from the large Hamrun clan.

Hamrun: S. Pace 12, K. Borg 2, D. Camilleri 6, A. Spiteri 4, A. Borg, A. Portelli 9, O. Said 21, J. Jetson 17, N. Falzon, I. Terribile, A. Sultana, S. Gouder.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 42, J. Naudi 6, M. Zammit 7, E. Bezzina 2, J Galea, J. Zammit, J.P. Azzopardi, D. Cuschieri 7, . Ransley 2, D. Ross, C. Calleja.

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut

1st Division men – Play Offs – Final 3

Mosta 71

SN Suns 77

(9-24)(12-13)(25-19)(25-19)

Mosta were unable to close down the final series, being beaten by a resolute Suns side who meant business right from the start. A constant lead throughout the game wiped away Mosta’s attempts to win their first final in four attempts.

Suns started off without Gordon Bugeja and Angelo Bantrik just as spectators on the bench. Over confidence on Mosta’s side enabled Suns to grab hold of the same from the early stages. They made up a 13-0 run before Mosta could open their tally with a Sassoon Saakian trey, but Suns kept rolling on, and helped by an Albert Borg trey, they continued to increase their lead. Mosta did manage a late rally, but Suns were still in command, and leading 24-9 after the first session.

Suns continued where they left off in the second session, building up on their lead at the start, but Mosta then began to respond and treys by Saakian again and Ray Muscat, brought them closer, but Albert Borg came up with another trey for Suns, and they finished off the session on a good note, restoring their lead. Midway through the match Suns were leading 37-21.

After the break Mosta began their comeback, with Ray Muscat finding his scoring touch. Suns had a reply with a Robert Camilleri trey and still kept Mosta at a distance. Another Camilleri trey gave them a 48-34 lead but Muscat and Saakian were still making their shots. Reuben Abela sank a trey for Mosta, as they started getting closer. A last second Mark Schembri hoop for Suns kept them 56-46 in front after three sessions.

In the last quarter, after a brief Mosta Flurry Suns extended their lead once again, to a 63-49 score, but Mosta replied with a Ray Muscat trey, in a 7-0 run, going to their closest yet, but Suns fleet attacks kept them ahead. Treys on both sides kept the score stable in Suns favour, as time wound down with Mosta unable to make up the difference, despite Saakian’s treys. Time ran out on them and Suns forced the fourth final.

Mosta: B Portelli, R Abela 3, S Saakian 29, S Schembri 2, R Muscat 25, J Paris, M Spiteri 3, O Sammut 5, C Bonnici, K Fabri 4.

Suns: A Camilleri 2, K Genovese, R Camilleri 25, A Borg 8, M Schembri 17, G Bugeja 11, R Buhagiar 5, R Camilleri 9, E Baldacchino.

Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Jean Paul Sammut.