The champions clawed themselves back in the series, denying Pembroke their third win, which would have given them the championship title. There is now the fourth game on Wednesday. Pembroke still need just a win to claim the title, but Liberty are now on a high after this win.
Hamrun recovered Alan Borg, after his two match suspension, and he played a major role in Hamrun’s victory. Pembroke had Duncan Cuschieri missing again, and with Michael Naudi starting on the bench, Pembroke roped in Matthew Zammit again. Pembroke made all their opening shots, to race into a 9-3 lead, but Alan Borg sank two treys and Hamrun were back. Alan Borg continued with his impressive long range shooting, as Liberty went 15-11 ahead. Pembroke recovered with a 7-0 run, and a Kristin Baldacchino trey, but Albert Spiteri came up with two hoops for Hamrun. At the end of the quarter Liberty were just in front.
In the second session both teams took time time to settle down. Pembroke replied to a Liberty basket, by a 10-2 run, including another Baldacchino trey, to lead 31-26. Hamrun reacted with treys by Alan Borg and David Camilleri, to forge in the lead, as both sides were beginning to get foul hit. In the last seconds of the quarter Tino Riolo tied the game with a free shot, and at the halfway stage it was a 32-32 match.
After the break the two teams cancelled each other out. Hamrun went in front, but Pembroke laboriously brought themselves back only to be hit again by an Omar Said trey. Points were rare at this stage. Hamrun had two players on four fouls, but after three sessions they were just in front, at 44-42, with the game still wide open.
In the final session Hamrun went on full court press, and started off with a David Camilleri trey. Pembroke crept back, but fast breaks helped Liberty to extend their lead, and the session was halfway over. Michael Naudi’s trey pulled Pembroke back but promptly, David camilleri made amends for Hamrun, who kept their noses in front till the last minute. Pembroke’s last, frantic efforts were to no avail, and the champions grimly held on, to pull themselves back, although they are still a game behind.
Hamrun: 17 Alan Borg, 16 Albert Spiteri
Pembroke: 14 Kristinn Baldacchino, 12 Adrian Micallef
Referees: Bernard Vassallo. Emanuel Mangani