Luxol ended their group games with an emphatic win over a Depiro team still intent on blooding their youngsters. They are out of the play-offs, and this was their last competitive game of the season. Luxol now prepare for their semi-final tussle against Pembroke.
Both sides had missing players, Robert Azzopardi for Luxol and David Agius and JP Azzopardi for Depiro. Luxol were the livelier at the start, with a 10-2 run, and an opening Steve Schembri trey.
Depiro's reaction was weak and some good shooting by Silvio Cassar extended Luxol's lead, such that they had a very comfortable advantage after the first session.
The points were even more plentiful in the second session, as Luxol kept on pushing for a better lead. Depiro put in their share, but they were falling further behind. Both teams had a reaction near the end of the quarter, with two Steve Schembri treys for Luxol, and a reply from Don Ross right at the end, for a 48-24 Luxol lead.
After the break the game became more balanced. Luxol didn't relinquish their lead, and Depiro had Malcolm Mallia very active under the boards. Luxol had the better ending to the quarter, as their lead increased slightly, and after three sessions it was a 65-36 match.
The last session was played in a more open manner, as youngsters on both sides went on the court. After a brief Depiro flurry it was again Luxol with a better ending to the match, as it finished in a leisurely pace.
Luxol: 17 Steve Schembri, 13 Chris Sammut, 13 Dirk Schembri, 13 Silvio Cassar
Depiro: 15 Roderick Vella, 11 Don Ross
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara
Pembroke 79
Hamrun L. Go Mobile 69
(19-6)(12-24)(19-12)29-27)
Pembroke got the better of the champions in a match seemingly devoid of interest, as the play-off placings were already established, but the rivalry between the two sides was evident, and both of them wanted to upstage the other. Pembroke were more consistent and won the game.
Hamrun recovered David Camilleri, after his broken thumb incident, but Karl Borg was only a spectator on the bench. Omar Said put in two free shots for Liberty, but then it was nearly all Pembroke, as Michael Naudi led his team on a 19-2 run, which went on for nearly the whole session. It was only a late Alan Borg hoop that raised Hamrun's flagging morale.
In the second session the scenario changed. After two free shots for Pembroke, it was Liberty with a 10-0 run, including treys by Omar Said and Albert Spiteri, as they went near again.
Pembroke replied but Hamrun were going strong. Michael Naudi still made hoops for Pembroke, including a trey, but Hamrun were right behind them, and an Addison Bonnici trey left Pembroke with only a minimal 31-30 lead at the interval.
After the break, Pembroke started well, opening up their lead again, but Jide Jetson's three hoops made it 37-36 once more. Etienne Bezzina came to Pembroke's rescue, and two treys made their lead healthier. Hamrun replied with an Omar Said trey, but Bezzina was still making hoops, and after three sessions Pembroke were 50-42 in front.
In the final quarter, Hamrun were hit again by treys from Bezzina and baskets from Michael Naudi, but consecutive free shots by Alab Borg kept Liberty hoping, although at a distance.
Young Jonathan Zammit sank a trey to keep Pembroke out of reach. Omar Said put in his treys for Hamrun but Pembroke always found space for their hoops, and they kept in front till the end, when Jide Jetson was sent off for Hamrun, for dissent.
Pembroke: 30 Michael Naudi, 16 Etienne Bezzina
Hamrun: 24 Omar Said, 13 Jide Jetson
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Carlo Farrugia
Final standings
21 Hamrun L. Go Mobile (9-3), 20 Pembroke (8-4), 19 Luxol Bupa (7-5), 16 Siggiewi Smina (4-8), 14 Depiro Kyocera (2-10)
Playoff semi-finals – best of five:
Hamrun L. Go Mobile v Siggiewi Smina (Hamrun start with a bonus win after topping the group); Pembroke v Luxol Bupa