Athleta hit back on Sunday to force a fifth and decisive play-off against Floriana in the men’s final. Sunday’s clash will determine where the championship will be heading to this season.
Athleta A-Z 91
Floriana Fran. Fenech 82
(27-25, 16-11, 29-18, 19-28)
This was a match Athleta could not afford to lose in their bid to retain the title for another year.
In the end, the experience of their veterans saw them through as Floriana, seeking their first cham-pionship in the club’s history, had some of their top players performing below par.
Dirk Schembri was far off the kind of form he showed in Game 3 of the series and playmaker Chris Sammut sustained an injury midway through the third period that forced him out of the game.
Athleta had captain Michael Naudi in fine form. Marco Todorovic dominated in the zone and playmaker Omar Said showed his true worth from the free-throw line in the last minutes to lead the side to victory.
There was nothing to separate both contenders in a high-scoring opening quarter. But midway through the second session a 9-2 break allowed Athleta to open a seven-point lead, 41-34, which they preserved till half-time.
As in the third game from the series, the third quarter proved to be decisive.
In fact, it was Athleta who started well after the interval to extend their lead to 59-43 as, suddenly, Floriana were found wanting in defence and most of their shots went astray.
Athleta were dictating matters as their confidence grew. So much so, that they started the last ten minutes enjoying a comfortable 72-54 lead.
Floriana looked more determined in the last quarter but their comeback bid came to an end when fumbling three successive fast breaks as those in possession opted for hurried three-point shots instead of releasing a team-mate in the zone.
Floriana continued to try hard but Athleta never wilted under the pressure.
Athleta: M. Naudi 17, S. Hagul, D. Bugeja 10, M. Todorovic 32, M. Giusti, O. Said 13, S. Pace 4, W. Spiteri, K. Baldacchino 4, S. Bischoff, S. Schembri 11.
Floriana: A. Baldacchino 2, B. Scott Camilleri 17, D. Camilleri 7, M. Glass 28, C. Sammut 9, I. Mercieca 4, C. Calleja 2, D. Schembri 11, M. Ciantar, S. Saakian 2.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, E. Mangani.
Sunday: (Game 5) 16.30 Floriana vs Athleta.