Siggiewi Smina 71
Bupa Luxol 94
(18-27, 15-22, 7-29, 31-16)

Luxol kept up the good work they have shown lately and easily brushed aside the Siggiewi challenge. Forward Marco Pisani was back for Siggiewi after a long absence but pivot Roderick Mifsud and Sassoun Saakian, another forward, were unavailable. Luxol, winners of the KO competition last week, had Edgar Caruana Montaldo back from injury.

Siggiewi had a good start to the match and built a slight lead up to the fifth minute of the opening session - 14-11. Then, a technical foul called against the Siggiewi bench seemed to have distracted Alex Farrugia's lads as Luxol seized the upperhand and practically sped to victory leaving their opponents behind.

Steve Schembri potted four free-throws to put Luxol on their way. They were a transformed side now, more aggressive in defence and turning round the ball well in attack. After leading 27-18 at the end of the first quarter, Luxol went on to hold a 49-33 lead at half-time.

With Siggiewi unable to raise their game and messing things up in attack, Luxol continued to pot points regularly to hold a maximum lead of 82-40, in the opening minutes of the last session.

With victory in their bags, Luxol let their foot off the accelerator, giving Siggiewi a chance to breathe better and make the score more respectable.

Everyone expected John Tabone to introduce some of his inexperienced players at this juncture but the veteran Luxol coach decided otherwise and retained his first string players on court.

Siggiewi: M. Schoults, S. Sammut 4, L. Camilleri 25, J. Doughty, H. Agius 2, M. Barberi 4, P. Schoults 18, J.P. Bonnici 6, M. Pisani 2, A. Huizer 8, E. Xuereb 2.

Luxol: C. Sammut 18, M. Mercieca 16, R. Azzopardi 3, M. Micallef, M. Portera, C. Pulis, R. Dalli, D. Schembri 23, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 10, S. Schembri 24.

Referees: S. Micallef, G. Barbara.

Depiro Kyocera 60
Pembroke 73
(16-19, 15-15, 15-20, 14-19)

This season, Depiro twice beat Pembroke in different competitions and on Sunday they again looked strong enough to surprise their more quoted opponents.

However, this time Joe Galea's team relied on all their experience in the crucial moments of the game to win the points and retain their high placing in the regular season.

Duncan Cuschieri was missing for Pembroke and his absence was sorely felt as most of the players took more than expected to settle on court.

Depiro coach Adrian Mifsud continued to show faith in his youngsters. After a shaky start they began to click better and bolstered by Jean Paul Azzopardi's three-pointers they started to share the exchanges.

Depiro looked the better team in the opening minutes of the second session and led 25-22 by the fifth minute. After a time-out, Pembroke lifted their game and at half-time they led 34-31.

With Michael Naudi under check, Depiro stayed in contention until the final minutes of the third quarter when Kris Baldacchino's points revived Pembroke who opened a 54-46 lead.

In the final minutes, Depiro came roaring back to reduce the gap to a single basket, 62-60. However, concentration deserted them when most needed as they missed a series of free-throws. Galea's switch to full court press helped the team to steer out of troubled waters.

Depiro: R. Vella 6, C. Bugeja, J. Rodriquez, G. Muscat 1, A. Aquilina 5, M. Ciantar, J.P. Azzopardi 26, E. Lupo 4, D. Ross 14, M. Mallia, D. Agius 4.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 15, J. Zammit, N. Lubrano 6, E. Bezzina 6, J. Galea 2, T. Riolo 12, C. Calleja, A. Micallef 13, K. Baldacchino 19.

Referees: E. Mangani, J.P. Sammut.

Standings: Hamrun 15 (7-1); Pembroke 14 (5-4); Luxol 14 (5-4); Siggiewi 12 (3-6); Depiro 11 (2-7).

Top scorers: C. Sammut (Luxol) 146, M. Naudi (Pembroke) 144, S. Schembri (Luxol) 143, P. Schoults (Siggiewi) 139, R Vella (Depiro) 125.

Sunday's fixtures: 2.30 p.m. Hamrun vs Depiro; 4.15 p.m. Pembroke vs Siggiewi.