Hamrun won the Super Cup for the first time, after two failed attempts. They also avenged their MBA Shield final defeat by the same Pembroke, earlier on in the season.
Once more the champions were without Steve Pace and Pembroke were missing Jeffrey Gatt and Tino Riolo was just a spectator on the bench. They also didn't utilise Matthew Zammit for this match.
Both sides tried for a fast start and, after an initial flurry, it was Liberty with an Omar Said trey, who took a 9-4 lead. Pembroke had a slight reaction, but Hamrun struck with a 7-0 run, to open up their lead. A hoop on either side brought a 19-10 advantage to Liberty.
In the second session Hamrun tried to keep a hold on the game, as Pembroke didn't relish such a deficit. In fact Hamrun managed to push up their lead to a 28-18 score, but Pembroke's Etienne Bezzina sank a trey, and Pembroke came near again.Both sides failed to find the target in the last moments of the period, and at the interval Hamrun were still ahead, at 28-22.
After the break Pembroke's efforts to get near found a stumbling block, with a couple of Omar Said treys for Liberty, as Hamrun went 36-27 in front. Despite Pembroke' s free shots Hamrun still had a hold with some methodical play. Duncan Cuschieri then sank a couple of treys for Pembroke and they were in the game again. Hamrun had Albert Spiteri on the bench and Pembroke lost Adrian Micallef on fouls. After three sessions Hamrun were 45-41 in front.
The last quarter started with a Duncan Cuschieri trey. Hamrun kept their lead till midway through the session, but they were having difficulty, and after drawing level, Pembroke went in front with two Etienne Bezzina treys, at 55-53. Pembroke's coach, Joe Galea, was expelled with two technical fouls, but Pembroke still went to within a point. Liberty held out till the end, and Omar Said made the decisive free shots that killed off the game.
After the match the MBA vice president, Ray Mercieca, presented Hamrun with the Cup, as Pembroke failed to present themselves for the losers prize.
Hamrun:24 Omar Said, 12 Jide Jetson
Pembroke: 17 Michael Naudi, 13 Kristinn Baldacchino, 11 Etienne Bezzina
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara
BOV KO (Men) preliminary round): Hamrun win Super Cup for first time
Depiro Kyocera 55
BUPA Luxol 82
(18-13, 14-19, 12-26, 11-24)
Luxol registered their third victory over Depiro this season and surmounted the obstacle on their way to the last four in the competition.
Depiro seem to find it hard against Luxol and suffer heavy defeats.
The Rabat side recovered Don Ross, missing from their last match, and Luxol included Beppe Micallef Trigona for the first time this season.
Depiro started without Roderick Vella and Luxol, sporting a new outfit, ran into a 6-0 lead.
Depiro settled down and their lively play brought them a long 18-2 run with Agius, Mallia and Azzopardi the protagonists. Robert Azzopardi snapped the run with his personal points and it was a close game once more.
Depiro held out for some time in the second quarter, but Luxol, aided by a Robert Azzopardi trey, came back and JP Azzopardi replied for Depiro with his second trey.
It was Silvio Cassar’s points that put the Violets ahead. Luxol improved on their lead but late in the session, Depiro recovered and three hoops brought them level. Both sides netted again and at the interval, it was a tie on 32-all.
After the break, Luxol turned on the heat and a trio of players provided the fire. Robert Azzopardi’s couple of treys opened the way as Luxol stormed into the lead. Depiro tried to keep close but Chris Sammut and Silvio Cassar thought otherwise. A 10-0 run opened up a gap, and after the third session, it was Luxol leading 58-44.
The last session saw Luxol making sure despite Depiro’s urgency at the start of the session. Luxol penetrated their opponents’ zone at will as Depiro started to wilt. Joe Rodriguez sank two treys for Depiro but the Violets marched on to a semi-final place.
Depiro: R. Vella 3, G. Muscat, J. Rodriguez 6, C. Bugeja, C. Cassar, J. Vella 2, M. Ciantar 4, JP Azzopardi 11, E. Lupo, D. Ross 12, M. Mallia 10, D. Agius 7.
Luxol: C. Sammut 18, M. mercieca 10, R. Azzopardi 17, M. Micallef, B. Micallef Trigona, C. Pulis, R. Dalli, D. Schembri 4, E. Caruana Montaldo 2, S. Cassar 15, S. Schembri 16.
Refs: Carlo Farrugia, Emmanuel Mangani.