Athleta’s Michael Naudi attempts a basket during Sunday’s game against Floriana. Photo: Ian Pace

Athleta 80
Floriana 69

(14-18, 19-14, 16-18, 31-19)

Athleta A to Z Electronics’ experience proved decisive in the second match of their BOV League best-of-five play-off final against Floriana Francesco Fenech as the cham-pions hit back from their opening defeat to level the series.

They took full advantage of Floriana’s collapse after the latter made a technical mistake as the last quarter got underway.

With Floriana a point in front, Athleta forward David Bugeja was deemed to have committed an anti-sporting foul to stop a fast break by Chris Sammut.

Matt Glass walked towards the free-throw line but the Athleta players protested and the official signalled an infringement against Floriana, who thus forfeited the possibility of increasing their advantage.

To make matters worse, Athleta capitalised to nail a three-pointer and forge ahead.

From then on, Athleta domi-nated the proceedings but one wonders how the Floriana players and those on the bench failed to notice the incident which, in the end, cost them the match.

For Athleta, pivot Marco Todorovic produced another sound performance together with captain Michael Naudi.

Not so can be said of Glass who probably played his worst game since joining Floriana in January.

The American was not his usual self and, after missing several easy baskets and committed that costly mistake, he faded like the rest of his team-mates.

Floriana, who won the first game of the final in the third over-time period, had enjoyed the better start to take a 7-2 lead.

Gradually, Athleta found their rhythm to share the exchanges for the remainder of the quarter, 18-14.

The Greens were on top in the early stages of the second session to go 25-16 ahead after Camilleri potted a three-pointer.

But, Floriana then surrendered possession on many occasions as they tried to go for spectacular passing.

This helped Athleta to regroup and a 17-3 break moved them 33-28 in front with two minutes left for half-time.

A time-out steadied Floriana who obtained the last two baskets to reduce the gap to one point, 33-32.

The third quarter was a balanced affair with another David Camilleri three-pointer levelling the score at 41-all with five minutes left.

It was Floriana who had a one-point lead 50-49 at the start of the final session but their efforts were ruined by that anti-sporting foul.

Floriana looked as though they were going to react after David Camilleri hit another three-pointer.

But it was a false impression as they became sloppy in defence, especially the front three who allowed the Athleta shooters freedom to pot baskets at will.

The Greens’ chaotic and individual play did not help their cause as Athleta cruised to victory.

Athleta: M. Naudi 17, S. Hagul, D. Bugeja 6, M. Todorovic 27, M. Giusti, E. Bezzina, O. Said 10, S. Pace, W. Spiteri, K. Baldacchino 10, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 10.

Floriana: A. Baldacchino, B. Scott Camilleri 13, D. Camilleri 17, M. Glass 11, C. Sammut 6, I. Mercieca 3, C. Calleja, D. Schembri 19, M. Ciantar, S. Saakian.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro.

Next fixture
Play-off final (game three): Saturday 4.30pm Floriana vs Athleta.