Loyola survived on aggregate to take their place in the semi final but at times Floriana were really close to annul their overall deficit.

A late burst by Loyola eased their minds and put paid to the Greens’ final efforts to overturn the final score. Rashanti Harris ran up a mammoth score for Loyola whilst Floriana relied on the Sammut brothers and Bryant Williams in their quest to grab a semi final place but to no avail.

Floriana still had Ian Mercieca missing from their line up and Loyola presented the same formation as the day before.

It was cut and thrust in the early stages of the match with Floriana keeping their noses in front for most of the time. The latter part of the period saw Loyola push forward when they obtained a 9-0 run which saw then finishing the session on a slight advantage coupled with their first game’s lead.

Floriana tied the score soon after the start of the second period but Loyola regained their advantage through Harris free throws.

The Greens prevailed and once more went in front closely followed by Loyola but this time they could not overturn the score.

Chris Sammut then netted a Floriana triple to end the second session’s scoring with Floriana on a 32-16 lead at the interval.

Loyola’s efforts after the break to make up the deficit failed when the Greens began with an 8-2 run. Then it was triples in an 11-3 run to Loyola.

Billy Zammit put in two for them along with another from Clint Cassar with Chris Sammut nailing a second for the Greens. The latter extended their lead again and by the end of the period they had gone on to a 53-44 score raising up their hopes.

A Steve Sammut trey had Floriana in earnest but Loyola dampened their aspirations when they drew closer. Chris Sammut netted another triple for Floriana and, after alternate points at either end, it was Steve Sammut with another trey and Floriana within mere points from a favourable aggregate score.

Loyola made the issue safe with an 8-0 run leaving the Greens, through Chris Sammut, to end the scoring with his fourth triple.

Floriana: J. Curmi, 5 N. Mercieca, 16 C. Sammut, S. Sammut. C. Calleja, A. Baldacchino,B. Williams, 8 A. Sultana, 4 M. Ciantar

Loyola: 10 S. Pace, 10 B. Zammit, D. Camilleri, 2 C. Cassar, S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella, 16 A. Axiaq, 2 J. Anastasi, 2 J. Ransley, R. Harris

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A.Carbonaro 

First match

Tata Motors Loyola     64

Floriana Fran. Fenech     49

(16-5, 16-14, 19-16, 13-14)

Loyola took the first step in advancing to the semis notching up a comfortable win over Floriana. A good opening session paved the way to Loyola’s victory and though the Greens shared the exchanges in the other three sessions. Loyola could keep control and hold Floriana at bay till the end of the match.

Loyola included their new signing American Rashanti Harris to bolster their side for the rest of the season. Floriana’s captain Ian Mercieca was abroad as they paraded their two new entries, Adrian Baldacchino and Clayton Calleja.

Loyola’s bright start ensured a 10-1 advantage with a David Camilleri triple and Harris’ other points.

The Greens managed a brace of hoops before Harris was in action once more with a three basket spread as Loyola’s advantage went into double figures.

In the second period Harris was still intent on increasing his side’s lead with Floriana falling further behind. The Greens then rallied with a 7-0 run by Chris Sammut including his triple.

Then it was Loyola’s turn to make up an 8-0 run with more triples from Shawn Pace and Stefan Vella.

Floriana reacted with a Steve Sammut triple and after baskets at each end Loyola were 32-19 in front at the interval.

After the break, Floriana came out in earnest and an 8-0 run had them drawing nearer to their adversaries. Pace points pushed Loyola further ahead with Floriana then keeping pace with Calleja free throws.

Loyola opened up a better lead with a 7-0 run and another David Camilleri triple to put them on a 51-35 advantage after three sessions.

The Greens began the final period with a Baldacchino triple and went on to a 7-2 run. They were still at a distance and later on Loyola’s 9-2 run with Vella’s second trey sealed up the game.

Floriana’s late burst reduced their deficit but Loyola could sit on a solid advantage at the end of the match.

Loyola: 11 S. Pace, 2 B. Zammit, 9 D. Camilleri,  C. Cassar, S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, 7 S. Vella, 2 A. Axiaq, 5 J. Anastasi, 2 J. Ransley, 28 R. Harris

Floriana: J. Curmi, 5 N. Mercieca, 19 C. Sammut, 10 S. Sammut. 5 C. Calleja, 7 A. Baldacchino, 8 B. Williams, A. Sultana,  M. Ciantar

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile

Semifinal draws 

Depiro Mtarfa v Siggiewi; Tata Motors Loyola v A to Z Electronics Athleta