Floriana Francesco Fenech 84
Athleta A-Z Electronics 69
(16-21, 19-21, 25-11, 24-16)
This was another high-octane clash between these two title contenders with Floriana overcoming a difficult period and turning the tables on champions Athleta after the interval.
The Greens are now one match away from clinching an historic title – a first in the club’s history.
On Saturday, the duel underneath the boards proved to be the winning factor. At first, Athleta’s Marco Todorovic was causing havoc inside the Floriana zone but things changed after the interval and it was Dirk Schembri and Matt Glass who took the upperhand to lead their side to a pronounced victory.
Like most of his team-mates, Todorovic struggled for rhythm after the break while Athleta captain Michael Naudi could not repeat the same kind of form from the second tie of this best-of-five series.
It did not take Athleta long to impose their supremacy in the opening session as Floriana were sloppy in their passes.
In fact, after opening a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter, Athleta extended that advantage to 29-18, thanks mainly to three-pointers from David Bugeja.
Floriana coach Paul Ferrante opted for a time-out and effected some changes and the move left its desired dividends as the Greens upped their game significantly.
A David Camilleri three-pointer allowed them to reduce the gap at half-time to 42-35.
Camilleri’s basket signalled Floriana’s charge and after the interval they took Athleta by surprise and potted the first eight points to forge 43-42 ahead.
Floriana were brimming with confidence as they continued to hold the edge to start the last ten minutes with a seven-point lead – 60-53.
Any chance Athleta had to stay in the match were dashed in the first minutes of the fourth quarter as the champions were hit by 11 consecutive points. With five minutes left, the lead became a handsome one of 71-53.
Athleta lost their plot and never gave the impression that they could diminish Floriana’s confidence who defended their advantage wisely until the final whistle.
Floriana: A. Baldacchino, B. Scott Camilleri 11, D. Camilleri 14, M. Glass 20, C. Sammut 14, I. Mercieca, C. Calleja 2, D. Schembri 21, M. Ciantar, S. Saakian 2.
Athleta: M. Naudi 8, D. Bugeja 14, M. Todorovic 26, M. Giusti, O. Said 6, S. Pace 5, W. Spiteri, K. Baldacchino 7, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 3.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, C. Terribile.
Next fixture
Sunday: BOV League final (game 4) 16.30 Athleta vs Floriana.