This game was due to be played on the 12th of last month, but was postponed to this weekend, and it decided the relegation issue. Both sides needed a win to save their top division status, and it was Depiro who emerged as worthy winners, in a game which was theirs from midway through the second session onwards.
Floriana looked to repeat their previous performance against Depiro, but a good collective effort by Depiro, and two top scoring players put paid to Floriana’s hopes.
Karl Borg sank a trey for Floriana at the start, but Depiro had a solid reply, with a 10-0 run. Saakian then put in personal points for the Greens, including a trey, as they came back. Floriana advanced to a point down, but at the end of the opening quarter Isaac Tanti went on court for Depiro, to make a close-range hoop, and a better lead.
In the second session Floriana didn’t take long to tie the score, at 18-18, with a second Saakian trey, but that was a wake-up call for Depiro, as they pressed Floriana, who started to lose balls in possession.
A 7-0 run, with a Roderick Vella trey, did have a reply from the Greens, though they were still in arrears. Further points from free throws enhanced Depiro’s lead, and they went on to complete a 12-2 run, ending with a second Vella trey, and at the interval it was Depiro at 37-23.
After the break Depiro didn’t let up, holding on to their substantial lead. Floriana had to react, but when they threatened to go near, there was Roderick Vella to sink in two more treys, in an 8-0 run, and Floriana were left behind. Both teams shared the points for the rest of the quarter, as Depiro ended the third session on a strong 53-31 advantage.
In the final quarter Isaac Tanti obtained Depiro’s points, with a reply from Karl Borg’s second trey, for the Greens. As time passed it was Gareth Gilson, with a trio of treys for Floriana, but the match was already won and lost, as Tanti had done enough to keep Depiro out in front, with no worries of a comeback from the Greens.
Depiro’s only win in this second phase was enough to keep them in the top division, leaving Floriana to ponder on their involvement with the second tier teams next season.
Floriana: 5 B. Riolo, 2 J. Tanti, K. Azzopardi, 18 S. Saakian, 13 G. Gilson, 2 A. Sultana, 2 M. Pajic, 8 K. Borg
Depiro: 23 R. Vella, D. Debono, M. Sammut, 4 G. Muscat, 2 A. Aquilina, A. Tabone, 12 J. Gatt, 2 E. Lupo, 23 I. Tanti, 2 D. Agius
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile
Final Standings
21 Mellieha SVS Reflections, 16 Depiro, 12 Floriana.