Floriana prevailed in their summit clash with champions Virtus to secure top spot at the end of the first phase. Virtus will take on Gżira Athleta in the semi-final play-off despite the latter’s defeat to Hibs. Luxol lost to Depiro but still advanced to the play-offs where they will meet Floriana.

Floriana Café Del Mar 87
Falken Cynergi Virtus 66

(24-17, 15-14, 17-19, 31-16)

Floriana deservedly won their much-awaited encounter with the erstwhile unbeaten Virtus as they were the most consistent and organised team, both in attack and defence.

The Greens coped well with Virtus’s full-court press while the champions found it difficult to penetrate the opposing defence.

Their shooters had an off day, particularly Maltese-Australian Jacob Formosa who failed to score a single point.

Floriana had to win by more than six points to claim top place and they reached their objective.

Despite being without the injured Lee Ross, Floriana took the initiative after the opening minutes and nine consecutive points saw them open a 17-8 lead.

After a time-out, Virtus lifted their game but their efforts were thwarted as Floriana potted the last four points to lead 24-17 at the end of the first quarter.

With Virtus unable to muster a reaction, Floriana continued to dictate matters to increase their advantage to 38-26.

Virtus’s efforts allowed them to reduce the gap to eight points, 39-31, before half-time.

Floriana were controlling their advantage well but Virtus managed to close the deficit to a basket, 49-47, after three consecutive three-pointers.

When Virtus fluffed their next three-point attempt, Floriana duly took advantage to start the last quarter with a six-point lead, 56-50.

The onus was on Virtus to cancel out the deficit but some of their players resorted to individual play besides taking hurried shots.

Virtus failed to put pressure on Floriana who dominated the last five minutes with a 21-10 run to displace Virtus from top spot.

Floriana: C. Patus 30, N. Sultana 18, S. Borg 6, A. Portelli, N. Vasovic 15, C. Calleja 2, A. Axiaq 16, A. Micallef Trigona, N. Andrejevic.

Virtus: S. Pace 8, D. Bugeja 17, R. Bonnici 8, D. Camilleri 3, S. Bonnici, J. Formosa, A. Felice Pace, C. Santo 18, L. Sobers, P. Shoults 12, T. Grech.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro.

Gżira Athleta 72
Hibernians 75

(20-19, 18-18, 21-23, 13-15)

In an entertaining affair, Hibs managed to end their season on a positive note after beating Gżira Athleta to avoid bottom spot.

Gżira felt the absence of playmaker Roderick Vella and pivot Nikolai Lubrano.

While captain Michael Naudi performed to his usual standards, American Lee Fisher failed to sparkle. For Hibs, Kieron Caruana had another good game.

The match developed into a balanced affair with neither team capable of establishing a significant lead.

Seven consecutive points put Hibs 14-10 in front only for Gżira to overturn the deficit and take a slender one-point lead, 20-19, by the end of the opening period.

The two sides continued to trade baskets with Gżira going in for half-time 38-37 ahead.

It was towards the end of the third quarter that Hibs managed to go in front, 60-59.

After scoring the opening first four points of the last quarter, Gżira managed to defend their lead until the final minute but a three-pointer from Paul Attard swung the match in favour of Hibs, 73-72.

Gżira’s last-ditch efforts to save the game failed as Hibs secured their second victory of the season.

Gżira: M. Naudi 29, F. Mifsud Bonnici, L. Stefanovic, I. Buldakov 2, B. Zammit 8, A. Micallef 19, S. Vincic 4, M. Gauci Montaldo, L. Fisher 10.

Hibs: P. Attard 5, M. Hampton, G. Agius, L. Farrugia 1, K. Caruana 29, R. Carabott 13, K. Sultana, S. Vella, F. Mariani 5, M. Matijevic 22.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, Z. Dobrosavljevic.

Bupa Luxol 69
PAVI Depiro 83

(12-15, 23-21, 17-29, 17-18)

Depiro made the most of the absence of Colt Fason, Luxol’s top scorer, to finish their season with a consolation victory that was not enough to avoid bottom spot.

Swedish William Ahlberg returned for Luxol after missing several games.

The match began with a technical foul against Luxol coach John Tabone for protesting with one of the officials before the game.

This incident made for a nervy start and Depiro’s Kurt Xuereb was disqualified towards the end of the first quarter.

After a balanced opening, Depiro took a slight advantage which they maintained until the end of the quarter, 15-12.

Depiro’s lead increased to seven points as the second quarter got underway, 19-12.

Luxol recovered from this difficult moment and a series of three-pointers before the end of the quarter allowed them to change ends a point behind, 36-35.

As the third quarter got underway, Depiro regained the initiative to open a nine-point lead, 49-40.

Luxol again tried to hit back but Depiro retained their composure to begin the last quarter 65-52 ahead.

Depiro easily protected their lead in the final quarter as Luxol never looked capable of turning the result in their favour.

Luxol: C.J. Cordina 28, J. Willoughby 4, W. Alhberg 21, J.P. Schembri 5, K. Dimech, T. Paris, M. Mercieca 4, J. Maistre Melillo, J.P. Bonnici 7.

Depiro: J. Attard 1, M. Agius, J. Camilleri, D. Schembri, A. Aquilina 6, T. Zammit 10, M. Mallia 14, K. Xuereb 8, M. Borg 8, M. Nwelue 36.

Referees: B. Vassallo, A. Carbonaro, C. Farrugia.

Final standings
Floriana 19 (9-1); Virtus 19 (9-1); Gżira 15 (5-5); Luxol 13 (3-7); Hibs 12 (2-8); Depiro 12 (2-8).

Top scorers
C. Patus (Floriana) 294; C. Fason (Luxol) 288; M. Nwelue ( Depiro) 262; C. Santo (Virtus) 258; M. Naudi (Gżira) 247.

Next fixtures
BOV League play-off semi-finals (game one): March 26 13.00 Floriana vs Luxol; 16.30 Virtus vs Gżira.

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