Virtus Cynergi will be challenging champions A-Z Electronics Athleta for the national title after beating Floriana Cafe Del Mar in a decisive third match from the semi-final series.

Virtus Cynergi 63
Floriana Café Del Mar 55

(20-13, 18-4, 16-25, 9-13)

This clash saw two teams dominate two quarters of the match each before the balance finally tilted Virtus’s way.

While Virtus were a more determined team from the second leg of the series and looked sharper in attack, Floriana lacked cohesion with Nicolas Vasovic having an off-day in his shooting and Greens’ top scorer Mike Henniger under tight scrutiny from the Virtus defence.

Virtus could not have hoped for a better start on Sunday as they potted the opening eight points.

Henniger’s basket heralded Floriana’s recovery but substitutions helped Virtus regain their momentum and open a sevenpoint lead at the end of the first quarter.

Virtus held an edge as Floriana were a confused lot in attack. They only managed four points in the second quarter and the half-time buzzer found the Greens 21 points behind – 38-17.

The half-time talk must have lifted Floriana’s confidence. They started to show the better qualities and narrowed the gap to 12 points – 54-42 – before the final 10 minutes.

Virtus were struggling on court and Floriana, despite having Henniger on four fouls, pressed hard until a Lee Ross shot from outside the zone saw them three points behind, 56-53, with two minutes left.

With Mike Breusewitz coming more into the picture, Virtus took the upperhand to halt Floriana’s comeback and book their place in the final series which gets underway on Wednesday, April 8.

Virtus: S. Pace 8, D. Bugeja 4, R. Bonnici 13, A. Schembri, M. Falzon, M. Breusewitz 20, A. Felice Pace, A. Axiaq 11, I. Buldakov, G. Coleiro, P. Shoults 7, P. Bartolo.

Floriana: M. Henniger 22, D. Camilleri, N. Sultana, S. Borg 2, L. Ross 15, N. Vasovic 15, C. Calleja , D. Schembri 1, S. Determan, O. Shamala, D. Agius.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, E. Mangani.

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