Hamrun kept up their steady course in their top-of-the-table exploits, and recorded their fourth seasonal victory over Siggiewi. Apart from their serious lapse in the first quarter, Siggiewi gave a good account of themselves, although never really troubling the champions.
Siggiewi fielded a depleted side, as Peter Shoults and Jean Paul Bonnici joined the list of absentees. Liberty also had Steve pace missing, besides davis Camilleri. Hamrun opened up at a fast pace, and with height advantage they dominated the zones. Besides that, their treys started to pour in. and Omar Said led the charge, with three of his.. From a 5-5 score, Liberty amassed a long 24-3 run, which went on till the end of the session, and a substantial lead.
In the second quarter the game took a different turn, as Hamrun rested some players on the bench. Siggiewi started to play much better, and although Hamrun kept their lead for some time, Siggiewi found more space under the boards, and lopped off some of their deficit till the break. Hamrun could still count on a good lead at the interval, on a 41-25 score.
After the break play was shared again, as Siggiewi sought to narrow the distance further, but Liberty held control and denied their opponents. Siggiewi’s efforts didn’t bring them any nearer, and after three sessions the champions held a 53-39 advantage. The final quarter found Siggiewi sinking two treys, in their bid to make up the leeway, but they were thwarted by hamrun’s cool play, as the Reds still kept Siggiewi at a distance. Noel Falzon went on court for Liberty, and Siggiewi put in a final spurt, which was not enough, as time was against them, and Hamrun added another win to their league tally.
Siggiewi: 12 Louis Camilleri, 11 John Doughty
Hamrun: 20 Omar Said, 14 Albert Spiteri
Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Gordon Barbara
BUPA Luxol 60
Pembroke 71
(18-6) (11-19)(12-20) (19-26)
Pembroke overrode a difficult start, to beat Luxol yet again, for the fifth time in six matches, and lay claim to sole second spot in the table. Pembroke were without Etienne Bezzina, as they recovered well to post their sixth league victory. Beppe Micallef Trigona returned for Luxol, and after an early Michael Naudi hoop for Pembroke, it was Luxol with an 8-0 run, as they took the lead, and kept it till the end of the session. There was partial response from Pembroke, but Luxol had the better ending, with a Chris Sammut trey, as they extended their lead.
In the second quarter Pembroke had more say in the match. At first Luxol replied to Pembroke’s hoops, but midway through the session a 9-2 run enabled Pembroke to creep nearer, on a 19-24 score. Luxol had a response, and their fast play opened up their lead again, only for Pembroke to end the session with a couple of baskets. At the interval Luxol were leading 29-25.
After the break Pembroke tied the game but the Violets ran up a 10-2 break, to go 39-31 ahead. Pembroke still came back to tie once more, and although Luxol managed to go back in front, it was Pembroke who ended the session in the lead, on a 45-41 score.
In the final quarter Jonathan Zammit went on court and sank a trey for Pembroke. Luxol tried to recover but Pembroke held out, and another trey by Adrian Micallef increased the lead, to a 55-45 score. Luxol’s reply with a Steve Schembri trey helped them on, and Chris Sammut’s free shots made it a one-point match. Pembroke promptly put in two treys, and went on a 10-2 run, to hold off their opponents , and claim the sole second spot in the standings.
Luxol: 18 Chris Sammut, 15 Steve Schembri
Pembroke: 21 Adrian Micallef, 20 Michael Naudi, 15 Kristinn baldacchino
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef
Standings: 19 Hamrun L. Go Mobile (9-1), 17 Pembroke (6-5), 15 Luxol Bupa (5-6), 14 Siggiewi Smina (3-8), 12 Depiro Kyocera (2-8)