Floriana Francesco Fenech 111
Athleta A To Z Electronics 106
(20-22, 20-9, 16-17, 17-25, 13-13, 14-14, 11-6)

The best-of-five title play-off series was off to an exciting start as Floriana Francesco Fenech showed resilience to overcome Athleta A to Z Electronics in the third period of over-time.

Floriana had three players fouled out but they held their nerve to start their final challenge for the title on a sound footing.

Both teams presented their best formation. Marco Todorovic proved a handful for Floriana who resorted to a lot of fouls to tame the Athleta pivot.

Dirk Schembri and American Matt Glass managed to contain Todorovic occasionally but their efforts were not enough to stop him finishing the game as top-scorer, thus making amends for his unconvincing performance against Depiro.

Michael Naudi also had a positive game for Athleta but he missed two free-throws in extra-time which proved costly for his team.

For Floriana, Glass was influential when his team needed his guidance while David Camilleri delivered when it mattered most. Bevan Scott Camilleri and Chris Sammut also enjoyed good moments during the game.

Athleta had a slight edge in the opening minutes as they closed the first quarter with a two-point lead, 22-20.

The opening of the second session belonged to Floriana who went ahead towards the fifth minute, 26-24. Floriana were on top for a good three-minute spell, taking advantage of Athleta’s troubles to change ends 40-31 ahead.

Floriana seemed capable of controlling their lead, 50-39, but then it was Athleta’s turn to dictate matters as they reduced the deficit to four points, 52-48.

Floriana fought back to pot the last two baskets of the quarter and start the last 10 minutes with an eight-point lead, 56-48.

Eleven consecutive points midway through the final quarter helped Athleta overturn the deficit, 63-60.

A time-out and substitutions did the trick for Floriana who recovered before a three-pointer by David Camilleri edged them 64-63 ahead.

Floriana went on to open a five-point lead, 69-64, but back came Athleta who forced extra-time, 73-73, as pivot Schembri was fouled out.

Athleta maintained their good work to take a six-point advantage, 83-77, as Floriana also lost Sassoun Saakian.

Despite their difficult foul situation, Floriana regrouped and on the stroke of time, David Camilleri was fouled by Naudi after the Greens had missed two three-pointers.

David Camilleri nailed the three free-throws to send the game into a second over-time period.

After Athleta chalked up the first two baskets, Floriana’s reaction saw them 98-90 ahead after David Camilleri hit two three-pointers. They looked on their way to victory but Bevan Scott Camilleri fouled Todorovic who potted the basket and free-throw.

Athleta wiped out the three-point deficit thanks to Omar Said’s three-pointer just before the whistle.

Floriana were handicapped by the exclusion of key players but they kept fighting. Their efforts were rewarded as Glass came to the fore to steer Floriana 108-102 ahead.

With tiredness setting in, Floriana were able to hold on to their lead.

FLORIANA: A. Baldacchino, B. Scott Camilleri 17, D. Camilleri 23, M. Glass 35, C. Sammut 23, I. Mercieca 2, D. Schembri 10, C. Calleja 1, S. Saakian.

ATHLETA: M. Naudi 25, S. Hagul, D. Bugeja 13, M. Todorovic 43, M. Giusti, O. Said 14, S. Pace 2, K. Baldacchino 5, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 4.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, J. Abaug.

BOV League play-off final (game 2): Sunday, 16.30 Athleta vs Floriana.

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