Floriana 48

SN Suns 44

(8-15) (15-6) (11-15) (14-8)

Floriana made a decisive step towards a place in the final, after having been beaten in the second game by Suns. It was another tight match, decided in the last stages of the game. Suns made a better start, with a 7-2 run, both sides made treys, and Suns kept their lead till the end of the session.

Floriana turned the tables round in the second quarter, as they continued on with their treys, with Suns only able to reply right at the end, as the Greens ended the first half, on a slight 23-21 lead.

After the break Floriana managed to increase their advantage but Suns then struck a good patch, which lasted for a good time, in which they ran up a 15-2 score, and although Floriana replied through Michel Curmi, after three sessions it was Suns who enjoyed a small 36-34 lead.

In the final quarter Floriana went in front, then it was Suns’ turn to forge ahead. The lead changed hands twice more before two Michael Amaira hoops settled the issue and Floriana are just a game away from the final.

Floriana: 16 Michael Curmi, 14 Michael Amaira

Suns: 12 Mark Schembri, 11 Robert Camilleri

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

Qormi Kia 72

Mosta 62

(14-10) (15-9) (20-20) (23-23)

Qormi made amends for their second match defeat by Mosta, and went a game in front again, in their quest for a final spot.

It was a balanced match at the start, but Qormi went in front and kept their lead in the first session. In the second quarter Qormi put in a good 12-2 run to steer clear of their opponents, but Mosta recovered a little, although at the interval buzzer it was Qormi who had a 29-19 advantage.

After the break the points became more plentiful. Qormi extended their lead but Mosta started putting in their treys and managed to reduce their deficit to its former state, as Qormi led 49-39 after three sessions. In the final quarter both sets of attack dominated, as Qormi managed to hang on to their lead for some time. Mosta tried hard but couldn’t make any significant inroads. Qormi strode clear at the end, and it was only Ray Muscat’s final two treys who made it a more respectable score.

Qormi now lead two games to one.

Qormi: 25 Antoine Grech, 17 Mark Sultana

Mosta: 22 Ray Muscat, 15 Sassoon Saakian

Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Alfred Carbonaro