Virtus ousted Floriana from the BOV Knock-Out after winning a tense semi-final, last weekend. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Falken Cynergi Virtus 76
Floriana Café Del Mar 69

(13-21, 17-14, 26-21, 20-13)

This was a balanced cup tie with Virtus qualifying for another medal match but for the Greens it was a total upset.

The final outcome remained uncertain until the last few minutes as after the interval the lead changed hands several times with no team good enough to open a clear advantage.

Floriana potted nine consecutive points that helped them open a 17-6 lead in the opening quarter but Virtus surpassed that difficult moment and they had the better start to the second session to reduce the gap to five points 27-22.

Floriana’s reaction helped them maintain their lead until the half-time break – 35-30.

The level of play increased significantly after the interval with Peter Shoults putting Virtus a point ahead with a shot from outside the zone – 40-39.

A ding-dong battle ensued with both teams enjoying bright patches along the way. A Chad Patus three-pointer put Floriana level (56-56) at the end of the third session.

When play resumed, Virtus showed better quality to open a 68-60 lead.

Floriana hit back but Nikola Vasovic fumbled a good chance for the Greens to pull level again and, instead, an infringement was signalled against his team.

Virtus regained control and administered their lead wisely to book a place in the final.

Virtus: S. Pace, D. Bugeja 16, R. Bonnici 13, L. Sobar, S. Bonnici, A. Felice Pace 3, C. Santo 27, A. Schembri, F. Bartolo, P. Shoults 17, T. Grech.

Floriana: C. Patus 30, K. Schem-bri, L. Ross 11, S. Borg 9, A. Portelli 4, N. Vasovic 3, C. Calleja 2, A. Axiaq 8, A. Micallef Trigona 2, N. And-rejevic.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, T. Helenius.

PAVI Depiro 68
Gżira Athleta 96

(25-17, 11-36, 15-22, 17-21)

Athleta quickly forgot their unexpected setback at the hands of Hibs in the Louis Borg Cup last week to book their place in the KO final.

More was expected from Depiro after eliminating Luxol from the Louis Borg Cup but Athleta, with captain Michael Naudi in good form along with Daan Wiersum and Billy Zammit, were in a class of their own to avoid another surprise elimination.

Depiro kept in touch until the fourth minute of the second quarter but then Athleta started to apply more aggressive tactics in their defence while prevailing over their opponents’ individual marking to hit 18 points without reply and lead 53-36 at the break.

Depiro looked an improved lot after the interval and they reduced the gap to 54-42. However, they were helpless to stop Athleta from adding to their handsome lead (75-51) for the last ten minutes.

The match was won and lost and Athleta were never in jeopardy of losing this semi-final.

Depiro: J. Attard 2, M. Agius, J. Camilleri, D. Schembri, A. Aqui-lina 8, N. Grech 2, T. Zammit 18, V. Vlachos 4, K. Xuereb 17, M. Borg, M. Neuleu 17.

Athleta: M. Naudi 22, R. Vella, D. Wiersum 30, L. Stefanovic, I. Buldakov 1, B. Zammit 24, A. Micallef 19, S. Vincic, J. Wait, M. Gauci Montanaro.

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbo-naro, Z. Dobroseljevic.

National League
Saturday: 16.30 Hibernians vs BUPA Luxol.
Sunday: 13.00 Floriana vs Depiro, 16.30 Virtus vs Athleta.