Depiro Mtarfa 56

Floriana F. Fenech 57

(14-13, 12-14, 14-14, 16-16)

After two defeats, earlier on in the season, against Depiro, Floriana were elated to avenge themselves, and also go into the K.O. final for the first time.

It was anybody’s game, as the score shows, but Floriana seemed more sure of themselves than their opponents, and reaped the reward, The Depiro players must be very disappointed, especially after the favourable draw had them evading stronger sides.

Depiro had Abraham Portelli missing, whilst Floriana fielded a full side, for the first time this season.

Floriana opened the scoring, but Depiro had more than a reply, with an 8-2 run, and triples from Roderick Vella and Adrian Micallef.

Floriana’s free throws reduced the arrears, but Greg Hamlin was on hand with a brace of hoops, as Depiro extended their advantage.

Till the end of the session Floriana pulled back, to just a point behind, with a 7-2 run.

In the second period the Greens went in front, but Depiro retaliated with a 7-0 run, beginning with an Andrew aquiline triple. Their new advantage was cut down with a couple of Bryant Williams hoops, including a slam dunk.

Play then alternated, with Floriana pulling points back every time Depiro pushed forward. Two late hoops had the Greens on a single point lead at the interval, on a 27-26 score.

After the break Depiro were leaders once more, after three hoops, but Floriana reacted well, and a 9-2 run, ending with a Chris Sammut triple, gave them a better advantage. Hamlin was on hand, as Depiro crept back to within a point, at 40-41, with a session still to be played.. Vella netted an early triple for Depiro, but the Greens replied stoutly, with a 9-2 run from Chris and Steve Sammut. Depiro were back, just a point in arrears, but Floriana were relentless, and Williams points and an Adrian Baldacchino triple gave the greens some breathing space. Depiro crawled back, again at a point distance, but time ran out, and Floriana could look forward to the K.O. final, a new experience for them.

Depiro - 10 R. Vella, JP Schembri, 3 A. Aquilina, 12 A. Micallef, 2 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 11 I. Tanti, 18 G. Hamlin

Floriana - J. Curmi, N. Mercieca, 20 C. Sammut, 2 I. Mercieca, 7 S. Sammut. C. Calleja, 9 A. Baldacchino, 18 B. Williams, 1 A. Sultana, M. Ciantar

Referees - G. Barbara, E. Mangani, C. Terribile