Hamrun L. Go Mobile 47

Pembroke 64

(15-16)(22-13)(3-13)(7-22)

In the space of five days the champions were knocked out of two competitions, by two different teams.

After last Sunday's elimination from the KO by Luxol, it was Pembroke who ousted them from the Louis Borg Cup, as Hamrun are passing through a lean period, what with injuries and loss of form.

Hamrun's David Camilleri was out with a broken thumb, and will be unavailable for the next six weeks, but Steve Pace returned for Liberty, after missing seven matches, although he was not utilised.

Pembroke recovered Duncan Cuschieri from his back injury, which caused him to miss three games.

Liberty had the better start, and helped by an Abraham Portelli trey, they took a 9-3 lead. Pembroke had a quick recovery and an 8-0 run gave them the advantage. The game then took a balanced stance till the end of the session, with Pembroke just hanging on to their lead,

The second session started with an Etienne Bezzina trey for Pembroke, but Addison Bonnici replied for Liberty, as Hamrun took the lead. Pembroke managed to tie at 21-21 but Hamrun sank two treys in an 8-0 run. Pembroke had their work cut out to reduce the deficit but it was Liberty with the better ending to the session, as they were 37-29 ahead at the interval.

After the break Liberty held on to their lead for some time, despite an Etienne Bezzina trey, but as time went by it was Pembroke who produced the better play, and an 8-0 run which went on till the end of the session limited Hamrun to just a handful of points. and Pembroke led 42-40 after three sessions.

In the final quarter Pembroke kept up the pace and continued on a 7-0 run with another Bezzina trey. Albert Spiteri made his first appearance on court in the last six minutes, but Pembroke were in command with a double figure lead.

There was no game-saving heroics for the champions as Pembroke kept firm control to make their umpteenth final. As it was the final score was harsh on Liberty.

Hamrun: 18 Addison Bonnici, 10 Abraham Portelli

Pembroke: 20 Etienne Bezzina, 17 Michael Naudi, 13 Adrian Micallef

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

Luxol Bupa 79

Depiro Kyocera 40

(16-4) (15-14) (26-12) (22-10)

As with Pembroke, Luxol also made two finals in five days, and the team is passing through a positive period.

Luxol took a stranglehole on the game and never gave Depiro any space to show their metle. Luxol were without Robert Azzopardi and Don Ross was abroad and missed the game for Depiro.

Luxol put in two quick hoops at the start and Depiro settled to share the play, but Luxol then took command and prevented Depiro from making any more points. A 10-0 run, ending with a Steve Schembri trey, pushed the Violets to a good first-session advantage.

In the second quarter Depiro played much better, even with their bench players on court. But Luxol always managed to keep their opponenets at bay. Mark Ciantar had a positive session for Depiro but Luxol had the better ending till the break, and posted a 31-18 score till the break.

After the break, Luxol didn't give any breathing space to their opponents. Steve Schembri sank a couple of treys and Silvio Cassar followed up with his points. Depiro tried to recover, but were hit again with another 8-0 run. Play then swang from end to end as Depiro found chinks at last in Luxol's zone, but the Violets' lead was still secure, and with a session to go, Luxol led 57-30.

There was no let-off for Depiro in the final quarter as Luxol were hungry for more points. A strong 19-0 run showed Luxol's supremacy. Depiro had some occasions at the end which they took to improve on their scoring, but they were well and truly beaten at the end.

This was Luxol's third victory over Depiro this season.

Luxol: 22 Steve Schembri, 16 Chris Sammut, 14 Silvio Cassar

Depiro: 10 Roderick Vella

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut