Siggiewi and Pembroke reached the final of the Louis Borg Cup.

Siggiewi made it after narrowly ousting Hamrun in the two-legged semi-final but Pembroke, despite their 127-120 aggregate win over Luxol, will have to wait to confirm their presence in the final next weekend. After Saturday's first leg, holders Luxol lodged a protest, claiming that their opponents did not observe the U-19 players rule. Their complaint will be heard tomorrow.

Pembroke Tumas Gr. 127
(50-44 - 77-76)
Bupa Luxol 120

The last nine seconds of Saturday's first leg may prove fatal for Pembroke. Competition rules stipulate that an U-19 player must be on court for 20 minutes of a cup tie but very late in the match young Matthew Zammit committed his fifth foul and was replaced by a senior player.

According to Luxol, Pembroke should have continued with four men if no other U-19 player was available.

The match was a drab affair with both sides committing countless mistakes in their passing and conclusions. The game came to life in the second quarter with Pembroke reducing a seven-point deficit to a single basket - 26-24.

Luxol found the going tough after the interval.

Not even Ivan Attard's presence on court managed to lift their game as Pembroke opened a 37-30 lead for the final ten minutes. A series of missed free-throws complicated matters for Luxol who could not bridge the gap. Pembroke 'won' 50-44.

The second leg was more entertaining with both sets of players being more positive in their play.

Attard was again on the bench but, clearly, he needs more practice to sharpen up if he intends to carry on playing this season.

Luxol had a strong opening and went on to change ends 37-34 in front. That slender lead was, however, cancelled by Pembroke who started the last quarter 54-53 ahead.

In the final minutes, Luxol managed to open a six-point lead but Pembroke's last efforts saw them recovering well to clinch victory.

Over the two legs, Michael Naudi, notched 49 points for Pembroke. However, that could not be enough if Luxol have their say on the table.

Siggiewi 126
(67-72 - 59-51)
Hamrun Go Mobile 123

Siggiewi managed to turn the tables on Hamrun in the closing minutes of Sunday's second leg to book a place in the final of the Louis Borg Cup for the first time.

The first leg was played on a fast rhythm with Siggiewi enjoying the upperhand in the opening minutes of the first two sessions. Hamrun, however, hit back strongly before the break and changed ends a basket ahead - 35-33.

They extended their lead to 46-41 midway through the third quarter but Siggiewi were still in the game.

With four minutes to go they managed to level the score at 61-all. Hamrun regained a three-point lead and a last-gasp Jide Jetsen basket saw them opening a five-point advantage ahead of the second leg.

Sunday's match never reached the same heights of the first tie. Siggiewi raised their game and at half-time led 29-20. They seemed on their way to the final when stretching that lead to 16 points in the early stages of the third session - 38-22.

But then, Ray Muscat's team lost their early sparkle giving Hamrun the chance to gradually crawl back to contention. With five minutes to go Hamrun trailed by a single point - 43-42.

Siggiewi did surpass this difficult moment though and five consecutive points from Adrian Micallef paved their way towards the final.

Louis Borg Cup final

(Saturday, first leg) 5.30 p.m. Siggiewi vs Pembroke/Luxol.

(Sunday, second leg) 4.15 p.m. Pembroke/Luxol vs Siggiewi.