Floriana squeeze through, to the final

Cynergi Depiro 62 Floriana Car Parks 63 (17-19, 17-18, 10-9, 18-17)

There was no going back from this one, as the two teams went all the way, to the fifth encounter, and it went right down to the wire, with three lead changes in the final minute of play.

The only regret was that one of them was going to be eliminated, as both sides regaled us with some thrilling action throughout the series.

Depiro had to chase in the middle two sessions, but both sides were exchanging their leads in the final quarter, with time running out in Depiro's last, frantic efforts, to forge in front, and the Greens just holding out, to take their place in the final, and face Luxol, in the best-of-five series.

Depiro were missing Alvaro Quiros, but had Kurt Xuereb back from suspension, whilst Floriana had to make do, again, without Shawn Pace and Sean Borg, but coach, Mario tabone, was also back. after his sending off.

It was the Greens with the better opening, but they were jolted by Depiro triples, from Andrew Aquilina, Dominic Scafidi and David Bugeja, in a 9-3 run.

Then it was Flroiana, with a brace of Chad patus treys, in an 8-2 reaction.

Depiro tied the score, but Floriana had Nikola Vasovic to open another lead.

In the second period Depiro went ahead, as DJ Mason sank his trey.

Floriana then tied the score twice, before going in front, with a 7-2 run, mainly from free shots.

Kurt Xuereb netetd two hoops, but the Greens were still in front, on a slight 37-34 score, at the interval.

After the break Robert Bonnici's trey tied the score again. Floriana held on to their advantage, despite another Depiro triple, by Mason.

At the end of the session the Greens were just ahead, on a 46-44 score. The last quarter was nail biting stuff. Aquilina, for Depiro, and Patus, for Floriana, began with triples.

Then it was Bugeja, with two quick treys, putting Depiro in the lead.

Flroiana were back with Dirk Schembri hoops.

The lead changed hands three more times, before Floriana had Patus taking them once more in front.

In the last stages it was Bugeja regaining Depiro's lead, but very late Patus free throws had the Greens defending a minimal advantage.

Depiros' effort failed to find the net, and the match ended with Floriana crowding their zone, to hold out, and go into their second Play Off final, in five seasons.

Their opponents, Luxol, will be contesting their thirteenth Play Off final, since 1990.

The same numbers hold true for both sides, with Floriana trying to win the league title for the second time, and Luxol are chasing their thirteenth league success.

Depiro: N. Grech, D. Bugeja 19, R. Bonnici 5, D. Schembri, A. Aquilina 7, DJ Mason 18, T. Zammit, M. Mallia, S. Sammut, K. Xuereb 8, M. Borg, D. Scafidi 5 Floriana: C. Patus 23, D. Schembri 10, D. Agius, N. Vasovic 13, C. Calleja 2, A. Axiaq 13, A. Micallef Trigona, N. Andrejevic 2 Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, I. Simic