Cynergi Virtus and AtoZ Electronics Athleta will go head-to-head in another final after knocking out PAVI Depiro and Floriana Café Del Mar in the semi-finals of the Bank of Valletta Knock-Out.

Cynergi Virtus beat PAVI Depiro 98-62 to reach the final of the BOV Knock-Out. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Floriana Café Del Mar 68
AtoZ Electronics Athleta 77

(11-28, 20-10, 15-24, 22-15)

Athleta, eager to make up for their defeat to Virtus in the MBA Shield final, had the better of Floriana to stay in contention to win the BOV Knock-Out.

In a game that saw both teams enjoying bright moments, Floriana ultimately paid the price for their slow start.

They were clearly handicapped by the absence of pivot Dirk Schembri. Their task was further complicated after five minutes when veteran Marco Mercieca had to be substituted after incurring his third foul.

Athleta took advantage to extend their lead and managed to keep their noses in front for the entire match.

The Greens tried to surprise Athleta with fast play, going for quick shots when in sight of the basket, but this only played in their opponents’ hands.

Taking control underneath the boards and turning the ball around in attack, Athleta exploited Floriana’s slow-moving defence, especially on rebounds.

Floriana’s individual play was punished by Athleta who opened a 19-6 lead after eight minutes.

After a time-out, Floriana improved. They tried to play more as a team and bring tall player Nick Oudendag more into the picture but they were careless in their passing, allowing Athleta to lead 28-11 by the end of the first quarter.

In the second, Floriana were more aggressive in defence but after closing the gap, they suffered eight consecutive points midway through with Athleta going 38-17 in front.

Floriana came back strongly in the closing minutes and, with more attention, could have reduced the gap further as they trailed by seven points, 38-31.

The Greens kept up the pressure after the interval but after pulling within two baskets, 44-40, Athleta’s Chad Patus came to the fore.

Capitalising on Oudendag’s slack marking, Patus made the most of the space conceded by Floriana as his precise shots saw Athleta start the last 10 minutes 62-46 ahead.

For the last quarter, Floriana coach Mario Tabone brought on Mercieca to shadow Patus and this had the desired effect as they gradually narrowed the gap to 67-59 with four minutes remaining.

Only five points separated the two teams, 71-66, with two minutes left but Floriana’s recovery was spoiled by a hurried shot.

Athleta retrieved the rebound and controlled their lead until the final buzzer.

Floriana: N. Oudendag 18, M. Mercieca 2, L. Ross 15, N. Sultana 11, S. Borg 4, N. Vasovic 18, C. Calleja, S. Determan, O. Shamala, D. Agius.

Athleta: M. Naudi 10, R. Vella 11, C. Patus 36, A. Aquilina 2, M. Gauci Montanaro, O. Said 12, M. Gouder, I. Tanti 6.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, C. Baeno.

Pavi Depiro 62
Cynergi Virtus 98

(9-35, 13-26, 20-21, 20-16)

As expected, the young Depiro team were no match for the in-form Virtus who were high on morale coming into the match after winning the St James Hospital Shield, their first ever honour.

With pivot Anton Axiaq still recovering from the injury he suffered against Luxol, Virtus coach Paul Ferrante gave ample time to his bench players after the interval.

Virtus started strongly, potting the first 11 points of the game. After a brief reaction by Depiro, 19-7, Virtus regained control to dictate matters, scoring the final 18 points of the quarter, 35-9.

Despite their massive lead, Virtus continued to apply the pressure in the second quarter, adding a further 19 points after the fifth minute to change ends 61-22 ahead.

With victory wrapped up, Virtus eased their pressure after the break and Depiro did just enough to prevent their opponents from reaching the 100-point mark.

Depiro: J. Attard, D. Farrugia, D. Schembri 5, R. Rizzo 2, T. Zammit 6, N. Grech, M. Todorovic 33, R. Zammit 6, K. Xuereb 4, M. Borg, S. Saakian 6.

Virtus: S. Pace 16, D. Bugeja 7, R. Bonnici 14, C. Doublet 2, A. Schembri, E. Bruinsma 26, A. Felice Pace 2, T. Grech , I. Buldakov 5, G. Coleiro 12, P. Shoults 14, F. Bartolo.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile , L. Abuil.

Next fixtures

Saturday: Louis Borg Cup (first legs) 14.45 Depiro vs Athleta; 16.30 Siġġiewi vs Virtus; 18.15 Mellieħa vs Luxol.
Monday: Louis Borg Cup (second legs) 14.45 Athleta vs Depiro; 16.30 Virtus vs Siġġiewi; 18.15 Luxol vs Mellieħa.