Pembroke recorded another win over Siggiewi, in five days, and progressed to the final, after yet another handsome victory.

Siggiewi were in the match in the opening two sessions, but a long run against them proved to be their downfall.

Siggiewi had Sacha Saakian missing from their line-up and Duncan Cuschieri was absent for Pembroke once more.

After Pembroke’s opening points it was Siggiewi who obtained two treys in a row. Play then swung from end to end till the two teams were level on 10-10. Pembroke had the better ending to the session, as Kristinn Baldacchino grabbed a pair of treys in an 11-2 run, and Pembroke broke clear.

In the second session Siggiewi hauled themselves back, and a 10-2 run ending with a Peter Shoults trey, made it a closer 25-22 game for Pembroke, but then Siggiewi were in disarray as Pembroke piled on the points, and subsequent free throws, to pull clear of their opponents, in a 13-0 run. At the break, a 38-22 lead rewarded Pembroke, and Siggiewi had Peter Shoults fouled out.

After the interval it looked as if Pembroke were going to have it their way again, as their lead increased, but Siggiewi staged a rally, and through a 7-0 run, with a Michael Barberi trey, they reduced the score to 42-31. The two sides shared play till the end of the session, as Pembroke held on to their lead, on a 46-34 score.

The last quarter was a quieter affair, after Pembroke acquired the first two hoops. The scoring then died down.

With the final result in no question, both sides sent in their bench players. Pembroke awaited to see who their opponents were going to be in the next match, as they cruised through to their win.

Siggiewi: 11 Peter Shoults, 10 Steve Sammut

Pembroke: 18 Michael Naudi, 12 Kristinn baldacchino

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut

Luxol Bupa 71

Hamrun L. Go Mobile 64

(20-14)(17-18)(12-19)(22-13)

Luxol tasted sweet revenge, after their three defeats against Hamrun earlier on in the season. They ousted the holders from the KO and made the final against Pembroke.

Luxol nearly lost a healthy lead but recovered at the end, to claim a place in the final.

After Luxol had made the opening play, and went ahead, it was Liberty who drew level at 5-5. Luxol’s Chris Sammut sank a trey but Abraham Portelli did likewise, and Hamrun went 10-8 up. The end of the session saw Steve Schembri, with his personal points, help his side to finish on a good note.

In the second quarter, Schembri kept up his shooting prowess, and Luxol went into a good lead. Karl Borg made a long trey to revive Liberty, but the Violets kept their grip on the match, to restore their lead again, on a 35-21 score.

Till the end of the session Hamrun struck a bright patch, and closed down the quarter with a late trey by David Camilleri, but Luxol were still in front at the interval, at 37-32.

After the break the story changed. Luxol obtained the first points to increase their lead, but Hamrun found Karl Borg for their inspiration, as he sank a couple of treys, and Liberty were in the lead, at 44-42. Luxol momentarily regained their advantage, but Omar Said sank another trey, and Hamrun stayed in front, after three sessions, on a 51-49 score.

The final quarter produced the goods. Luxol tied the match and then two Chris Sammut treys, and a Karl Borg trey for Hamrun kept the score close.

Luxol went back in front, as Steve Schembri kept on making his free shots. Hamrun were unable to make any impact at the end, and Luxol could control and gain their first win over Liberty this season.

Luxol: 28 Steve Schembri, 16 Chris Sammut

Hamrun: 19 Omar Said, 14 Karl Borg

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

BOV K.O. Div. 1 Semi final

Floriana 37

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 92

(9-19)(6-23)(7-27)(15-23)

Loyola strode decisively into the final, where they will play against Qormi, and their task was made easier when Floriana fielded a side without their top-scorer, Anthony Shoults. Loyola, who eliminated Mellieha in a previous preliminary match, did the double over the Greens this season.

Loyola went flat out straight from the start, getting a 13-2 lead, but Floriana had a reaction, and a couple of treys helped them to share the rest of the session.

In the second quarter Loyola dominated once more, and a 16-2 run took them completely away from Floriana. By the interval the Greens fell further behind, as Loyola enjoyed a 42-15 score

After the break there was no let-off for Floriana. Loyola began with a Patrick Lentini trey, and went on a 17-0 spree. Floriana replied as best they could but Loyola were in command, going on to a 69-22 score after three sessions. The final quarter was open play, with Floriana given more space, as Loyola went for a high score. Both sides enjoyed themselves as points were plentiful. Etienne Borg finished off the game for Loyola, with a trey.

Floriana: 15 Glenn Gauci Grech

Loyola: 23 Trevor Grech, 21 Joe Vassallo, 14 Clive Bonnici

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Clive Terribile