Hapoel Gilboa Galil punched their ticket to the Final 4 with a 87-82 win over Hapoel Holon to wrap up their best of 3 quarterfinal series 2 games to 1. The hosts held Gilboa Galil at bay for three quarters but finally broke through as Iftach Ziv and Akil Mitchell helped Lior Lubin’s squad to a big final frame to pull out the victory. Gilboa Galil returns to the Final 4 for the first time in 9 years and will now have to contend with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday as they will look to punch their ticket to the league final.

Iftach Ziv scored 24 points, pulled down 6 rebounds and added 4 assists, Akil Mitchell notched a double double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Joe Thomasson and Michael Young each chipped in with 15 points a piece. Shavon Coleman led Holon with 23 points and Jimmy Hall scored 18 points in the loss.

Akil Mitchell spoke to The Sports Rabbi following the game, “Holon are talented and a difficult team to match up with. We knew we had to give our everything and I’m proud of my team for coming out with the win. Now we are going to the Final 4 which I know is important to this team and to me personally as well, to be able to play against the best and play at a high level and maybe win a championship.”

It’s clear that Iftach Ziv and Mitchell have a terrific connection and the forward credited the guard for another fantastic performance, “Iftach was incredible tonight. He had some big defensive plays plays and his ability to get to the rim, our connection is only getting better and he can be one of our most important weapons for the Final 4. We are excited and I’m excited to see Maccabi in the next round and Iftach will be a big part in it.”