Athleta A-Z Electronics 71
PAVI Depiro 67

(21-16, 13-19, 14-7, 13-19 – 10-6)

Athleta had to play extra-time before staving off the bold Depiro challenge and earn themselves another tilt at the title.

Depiro had their chances but in the end they paid the price for inconsistent play to go 2-1 down in the semi-final play-offs.

Athleta captain Michael Naudi was back in fine form and shooter Steve Schembri coming to life in the decisive moments.

For Depiro, Shawn Morgan was well marked but he has to take some of the blame for a couple of easy pots which he failed to tuck in.

After a balanced start, Athleta opened a slight lead which they held till the end of the first quarter.

Depiro could not have had a better start to the second session as they potted 16 consecutive points.

Athleta coach Joe Galea called a time-out. This helped his team to surpass a difficult moment and at half-time Athleta were only trailing 34-35.

The start of the third quarter was marred by mistakes from both teams.

Morgan was struggling to lift his team in attack and Athleta profited to start the last ten minutes six points ahead, 48-42. They seemed to be in control but lost Naudi for his fifth foul, whistled in attack.

Athleta lost their plot and Depiro closed the gap to three points 61-58.

With less than 20 seconds left, David Bugeja, formerly of Depiro, committed his fifth foul besides a technical for protests. Depiro lost the first free-throw but levelled with the next three, 61-61.

With 14 seconds left, Depiro had possession but when Morgan decided to release Vella, he was forced to shoot from outside the zone. Vella’s shot hit the ring and out to the relief of Athleta.

There was nothing to separate the teams in extra-time as excite-ment grew with the contestants still in close contact.

Morgan continued to fire blanks though and Athleta regained the lead through a Schembri basket.

Depiro had the last possession but Abraham Portelli was dis-possessed as he tried to drive through. Schembri potted the two free-throws that followed to put his team in the final.

Athleta: M. Naudi 13, S. Hagul, D. Bugeja 10, M. Todorovic 13, M. Giusti, E. Bezzina, O. Said 8, S. Pace, K. Baldacchino 5, W. Spiteri, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 22.

Depiro: R. Vella 8, K. Kuns, A. Aquilina 14, A. Portelli 15, D. Agius 4, E. Lupo, M. Mallia 1, I. Tanti 8, S. Morgan 17.

Referees: G. Barbara, C. Terribile, T. Brown.

Floriana Francesco Fenech 79
Siġġiewi 56

(16-12, 26-12, 15-14, 22-18)

Floriana took control right from the opening minutes of this match and never looked back to book their place in the final for the first time in 35 years after completing a 2-1 win over Siġġiewi in the best-of-three semi-final series.

Floriana were a better team than in the previous match with playmaker Chris Sammut and forward Bevan Scott Camilleri leading their charge.

Siġġiewi had sharp shooters Chris Meier and Marco Matijevic in subdued mode and unable to repeat their fine showing from Game Two.

Siġġiewi potted the first six points but Floriana soon settled down on court to take control of play.

With their opponents rather slow in attack, the Greens continued to build on their lead and at half-time victory already seemed to be in their bags as they led 42-24.

Siġġiewi tried hard to get back in the match after the interval and managed to put Floriana in difficulty. But after narrowing the gap, they started to hurry their shots and mistakes followed.

In fact, from a ten-point deficit, 48-38, Siġġiewi started the last ten minutes 19 points behind, 57-38.

Siggiewi looked a dejected lot and with five minutes left, Floriana held a 20-point lead 67-47.

After losing Eman Xuereb, fouled out, Siġġiewi had to play the last couple of minutes with four players on court as Alan Borg also had to leave as he was slapped with a technical foul for persistent protests.

Floriana: A. Baldacchino, B. Scott Camilleri 18, D. Camilleri 2, M. Glass 26, C. Sammut 14, I. Mercieca 6, C. Calleja 4, D. Schembri 9, S. Saakian.

Siġġiewi: N. Falzon, P. Shoults 13, E. Xuereb 4, A. Borg 11, C. Meier 13, A. Fekete 1, M. Matijevic 14.

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, T. Brown.

BOV League final (Game 1): Saturday, 16.30 Floriana vs Athleta.

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