Siggiewi 54
(11-19, 14-8, 12-12, 17-22)
Bupa Luxol 61

In a game that never lived up to expectations, with both teams recording low shooting percentages besides numerous turnovers, it was Luxol who emerged strongest to make it a double over Siggiewi in the league.

The champions had a promising start with Robert Azzopardi in good form but then played poorly in the second and third sessions before hitting back strongly in the last quarter.

Siggiewi, who had playmakers Marco Pisani and Simon Cauchi back in the team, this time had forward Steve Schembri not available. John Tabone, the Luxol coach, had a standard formation.

Siggiewi took their time to settle as Luxol opened a 19-8 lead when a Nathan Farrugia three-pointer on stroke of time heralded Siggiewi's first signs of recovery.

It was only a last-gasp Dustin Falzon three-pointer before the interval that saw Luxol changing ends 27-25 ahead.

Azzopardi was now better marked by Pisani and Luxol found it hard to conclude their attacks. After a dull third session, Luxol saw pivot Silvio Cassar finding his old shooting touch to pot nine points.

Luxol were leading 48-37 now. Siggiewi lost their rhythm but they made the score sound more respectable thanks to two late three-pointers.

Siggiewi: D. Falzon 4, M. Pisani 2, J. Doughty, N. Farrugia 15, A. Portelli 6, A. Micallef 8, R. Mifsud 2, S. Cauchi 2, J. Gatt 15.

Luxol: D. Falzon 8, M. Mercieca 9, R. Azzopardi 17, B. Micallef Trigona 2, M. Bonnici, R. Dalli, A. Bianchi 4, A. Cremona, E. Caruana Montaldo 3, S. Cassar 18.

Refs: B. Vassallo, J.P. Sammut.

Pembroke Tumas Gr. 72
(24-18, 9-15, 28-18, 11-18)
Footwork L'Oreal 69

Thanks to a better basket difference in direct encounters, Pembroke are leading the Kinnie League standings on the 13-point mark, the same tallies of BUPA Luxol and Siggiewi, the latter having played a game more.

On Sunday, Joe Galea's Reds, however, struggled to impose their superiority on a spirited Footwork team still seeking their first win of the season. Footwork lack experience at this level as coach Steve Buttigieg opted for some particular substitutions during the match.

Pembroke were nearly at full strength with only Trevor Degiorgio missing from the squad. The team lacked cohesion and only showed their true worth when all-rounder Michael Naudi was on court.

It was only in the last minutes of the opening session that Pembroke, profiting from two passing errors from Footwork, managed to open a slight lead, 24-18.

With Naudi on the bench, Pembroke controlled their advantage for the first five minutes of the second quarter, but then succumbed to a strong Footwork comeback. At half-time it was 33-33.

Naudi's return to the court saw Pembroke back to their best after the interval to lead 51-38 by the fifth minute. Two minutes later, Pembroke lost Naudi's services after a technical foul.

Footwork sensed a chance of breaking their duck and again regrouped their forces to close the gap in the last five minutes to a single point, 68-67. They had the chance to take the lead but twice messed up a decisive attack.

In the end, potted free-throws from Julian Naudi helped the Reds towards their sixth win.

Luxol are next in line for Pembroke as Footwork will try for their first win in Sunday's match against Hamrun.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 13, J. Naudi 12, M. Zammit 12, E. Bezzina 8, J. Galea, T. Riolo 2, O. Said 14, D. Cuschieri 11, M. Pisani.

Footwork: L. Camilleri 4, S. Sammut 2, E. Fenech Pace, I. Mercieca 12, C. Sammut 5, M. Barberi 9, A. Bonnici 17, R. Loporto, A. Huizer 11, E. Xuereb 9.

Refs: E. Mangani, G. Barbara.

Standings

Pembroke 13 (6-1), Luxol 13 (6-1), Siggiewi 13 (5-3), Hamrun 8 (1-6), Footwork 7 (0-7).

Sunday's fixtures

2.30 p.m. Footwork vs Hamrun; 4.15 p.m. Luxol vs Pembroke.