Pembroke eyeing revenge on Luxol

The clash between old-time rivals Bupa Luxol and Pembroke is the main attraction of this weekend's programme from the Kinnie League.

This afternoon, Siggiewi Smina take on Depiro and tomorrow it will be the turn of Hamrun Go Mobile and Footwork to enter the fray.

Depiro, on a high after their surprise opening success over Luxol, will bid to maintain their positive start against a Siggiewi side who gave a below-par performance in their outing against Hamrun.

Although Depiro may lack power underneath the boards, they compensate for this weakness with aggression and mobility, traits that inspired their victory over Luxol. Depiro can also rely on fast players as well as good three-point shooters.

Their opponents today, Siggiewi, were a confused lot against Hamrun and their consistent fouling only helped to make their task even more complex. An immediate impro-vement is needed from Siggiewi if they are to seriously challenge Depiro for victory today.

Hamrun are favourites to obtain their second league victory against Footwork. Not that the latter are easy prey these days but the fashion of their 78-53 defeat to Pembroke only increased the doubts about their character and resolution to keep battling, especially in the last ten minutes of the game.

This has been amply demonstrated in the four games Footwork have played so far and it is hard to understand why they give up so easily when things do not go their way.

Hamrun are struggling to play to their full strength as some of their new players have yet to live up to expectations.

In this weekend's last game, Pembroke are expected to go all out to avenge their MBA Shield upset to Luxol.

Luxol have had a frustrating start to the league, going down to promoted side Depiro. With sharp shooter Robert Azzopardi not expected to recover from his injury in time to face Pembroke tomorrow, Luxol must lift their game and show better teamplay if they are to repeat their victory over Pembroke in the MBA Shield final. On that occasion, Luxol beat their rivals 69-62.

Coach John Tabone will surely be hoping that pivot Silvio Cassar is fully fit so that he can make his height and strength count underneath the boards.

After their winning start to the league, Pembroke will again bank on their solid defence in their attempt to upset their rivals.

Women's League

In the Peugeot women's league, tomorrow morning Naxxar should not fail to collect another victory against Qormi Seiko but they will be attentive not to risk as they had done in their previous match against Kerygma.

Title contenders Hibs Go Mobile are not expected to slip against Kerygma but champions Depiro Still face the most difficult fixture when they play Luxol Vodafone.