Cynergi Depiro 78
Gżira Athleta 82
(Gżira Athleta win series 155-137)
Gżira Athleta relied on their 14-point win from the first leg as they fended off the challenge of Cynergi Depiro in Tuesday’s second game despite the latter’s attempts to annul the deficit.
There were instances when Depiro had the lead in this game but they were unable to stretch it to 14 points in order to reopen the series.
It was Depiro who netted the first points but Gżira Athleta reacted quickly with a 9-0 break to close the first quarter 22-16 ahead. David Camilleri hit two treys for the winners.
Depiro, driven on by their Americans D.J. Mason and Dominic Scafidi, managed to level the score in the second period and even changed ends 39-37 ahead.
Although Depiro went momentarily five points ahead, Athleta had two consecutive long-distance shots from Billy Zammit and, later in the third session, points from Michael Naudi and Josiah Whitehead to take the initiative, 59-55, at the start of the last quarter.
Depiro tried to stage a reaction but their offensive ploys were neutralised as Athleta were able to absorb the pressure and protect the double-digit lead they had established in the first game.
Depiro: N. Grech, D. Bugeja 25, R. Bonnici 11, D. Schembri, A. Aquilina 1, DJ Mason 21, T. Zammit, M. Mallia, A. Quiroz, K. Xuereb 10, M. Borg, D. Scafidi 10.
Gżira Athleta: M. Naudi 24, D. Camilleri 9, L. Stefanovic, P. Shoults 12, B. Zammit 13, J. Bos, S. Vincic 2, M. Gauci Montaldo, J. Whitehead 22.
Referees: G. Barbara, E. Ozpolat, I. Marjanovic.
Siġġiewi St Nicholas 35
Floriana MCP Car Parks 121
(Floriana win series 84-226)
Floriana were practically home and dry after their massive win in game one and they were dominant again in the second leg against a Siġġiewi St Nicholas side who tried their best to limit the damage.
The Greens, who will face Gżira Athleta in the final early in 2017, were again superior with young Nikola Andrejevic making good use of his extended court time to notch a seasonal personal high.
Siġġiewi now turn their sights to their BOV Division Two Knock Out final against Gżira Athleta’s second team this Sunday.
Siġġiewi: J. Carter, N. Xuereb, H. Agius 9, G. Agius 4, R. Alosco 2, C. Bezzina 1, R. Camilleri 7, Re. Camilleri, J. Camilleri, K. Arvanitakis 12.
Floriana: C. Patus 27, S. Pace 19, S. Borg 8, N. Vasovic 31, C. Calleja 9, A. Axiaq 8, N. Andrejevic 19.
Referees: G. Barbara, C. Farrugia, E. Ozpolat.