PAVI Depiro and Floriana Café Del Mar have joined Gżira Athleta and Falken Cynergi Virtus in the semi-finals of the BOV Knock-Out after wins over Hibs and BUPA Luxol respectively

Depiro needed a last-gasp basket to beat Hibernians and book their place in the BOV KO semi-finals. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Hibernians 58
PAVI Depiro 60

(13-9, 17-20, 13-13, 15-18)

Depiro had to fight hard to see off the challenge of Hibs and book their place in the semi-finals of the KO competition.

Despite never reaching great heights, the game developed into an exciting affair with the result in the balance until the final seconds.

Veteran Marco Matijevic made his debut for Hibs while Depiro introduced new Greek signing Vangelis Vlachos and welcomed back forward Timothy Zammit who missed their previous game due to injury.

The match was off to a slow start as both teams found it hard to net baskets but Hibs forged 13-9 ahead before the end of the first quarter.

Hibs retained a slight edge in the opening minutes of the second quarter, stretching their lead to 23-14.

Depiro found their feet to stage a reaction, scoring nine points to level at 23-all.

The exchanges remained balanced with Hibs changing ends a point ahead, 30-29.

The two teams continued to trade baskets with Hibs beginning the last 10 minutes a point ahead, 43-42, but lost Ryan Carabott who was fouled out.

The stage was set for a thrilling finale.

It was Depiro who first opened a seven-point lead, 55-48, but a time-out helped Hibs to regain their composure.

A 10-2 break saw Hibs move back into the lead, 58-57, thanks to Paul Attard’s basket.

But, in the last minute, Noel Grech delivered the decisive points for Depiro.

Hibs: P. Attard 4, M. Hampton, G. Agius, L. Farrugia 12, J. Bonett 1, K. Caruana 13, R. Carabott 7, K. Sultana, S. Vella, F. Mariani 2, M. Matijevic 19.

Depiro: J. Attard, D. Farrugia 4, M. Agius, J. Camilleri, A. Aquilina 14, N. Grech 14, T. Zammit 10, M. Mallia 2, V. Vlachos 2, M. Borg 2, M. Naulue 12.

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

Bupa Luxol 72
Floriana Café Del Mar 80

(11-15, 12-26, 28-21, 21-18)

Floriana again made things difficult for themselves after throwing away an early lead.

Luxol intensified their efforts in the last two quarters but the Greens held their nerve to clinch a place in the KO semi-finals.

While Floriana took to the court with their usual formation, Luxol had Swedish William Ahlberg making his first appearance.

Floriana obtained the opening five points to lead 15-11 at the end of the first quarter.

With Canadian Chad Patus in fine form, Floriana established control as the second quarter got underway with Luxol’s performance descending into confusion as they suffered innumerable turn-overs.

Floriana took advantage to build a comfortable 18-point advantage by half-time, 41-23.

The interval helped Luxol to arrest their decline as they made a reaction to reduce the arrears to 11 points, 62-51.

Floriana led 71-58 midway into the last quarter but Luxol raised their game and pressed relentlessly.

Floriana looked stunned as Luxol further narrowed the gap to four points, 76-72, but free-throws allowed the Greens to hold on to their win.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 11, C. Fason 39, J. Willoughby 2, S. Viser, W. Ahlberg, J.P. Schembri 3, K. Dimech, T. Paris 2, M. Mercieca 8, J. Maistre, J.P. Bonnici 7.

Floriana: C. Patus 27, D. Borg, L. Ross 21, N. Sultana 6, S. Borg 2, A. Portelli 2, N. Vasovic 18, C. Calleja, A. Axiaq 4, A. Micallef Trigona, O. Shamala, N. Andrejevic.

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro, T. Helenius.

Next fixtures
BOV National League: Saturday – 16.30 Depiro vs Gżira. Sunday – 13.00 Virtus vs Hibs; 16.30 Floriana vs Luxol.