Depiro power past Luxol to lift Women’s Super Cup

CAFFE MOAK LUXOL    59

BETSSON DEPIRO         76

(10-25, 20-18, 15-24, 14-9)

A few months after succumbing to a turnaround defeat in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s Playoff finals, Betsson Depiro made sure to get revenge on the opening day of the new season with a dominant victory over title-holders Caffe Moak Luxol at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion on Sunday.

Both teams took new coaching routes over the summer, handing promotions to their respective youth coach as Julian Naudi and Roderick Vella were appointed senior women’s team coaches for Depiro and Luxol respectively. In the first meeting in their new roles, it was Naudi who came out on top as a stacked Depiro cast the youthful Luxol aside in the opening quarter of each half, before holding on in the second.

It was a stunning start to the new season for Depiro duo Jensen Caretti and Julia Borg who both finished the game with 21 points and double-figure rebounds.

Caretti, on her official debut with the Mtarfa club put up a statement performance to showcase what is to come as the US-import player was given the most game time from her team, with fellow American Brandi Huffhines leading the minutes on court with 38.38. The Luxol import guard topped her team’s scoring with 14 points.

The game began competitively, with Luxol’s Huffhines making her presence felt early, sinking a three-pointer just 34 seconds in. Depiro responded quickly through Caretti, who floated in a jumper to reduce the deficit.

Luxol maintained a slight lead, with Sarah Fenech Pace’s mid-range jumper pushing them ahead 5-2. However, Borg soon levelled the game with a smooth three-pointer for Depiro.

The quarter continued with Depiro’s full-court press causing turnovers, allowing them to build a 17-10 lead, capped by Kristy Galea’s quick five points in succession. Caretti and Borg both added free throws late in the quarter, helping Depiro end the period 25-10 ahead.

Luxol tried to rally in the second quarter. Huffhines and Fenech Pace combined for quick baskets to reduce the gap to 25-18, with the Malta youth international showing grit on the inside.

However, Depiro quickly responded with Caretti firing back-to-back three-pointers, extending the lead to double digits once more.

Although Luxol had moments of brilliance, including a smooth turnaround jumper from Josephine Diaby, Depiro’s offensive fluidity, led by Borg and Caretti, proved too much. By halftime, Depiro had built a commanding 43-30 lead.

In the third quarter, Depiro’s dominance continued. Borg was particularly efficient, sinking multiple shots in the paint, including a layup that extended Depiro’s lead to 19 points. Caretti, meanwhile, was nearly unstoppable on both ends of the floor, as Depiro raced to a 67-45 advantage by the end of the third quarter.

Luxol, despite their efforts, struggled to match the pace, with occasional free throws and jump shots from Anna Fenech Pace and Huffhines keeping them in the game.

The final quarter saw Luxol desperately trying to close the gap, with Anna Fenech Pace hitting a timely three-pointer and free throws. However, Depiro’s defence stayed solid, and Borg continued to add to her tally.

A late layup from Julia Borg Xerri, her only basket of the game, sealed the win for Depiro, securing their 76-59 triumph and the Super Cup title.

CAFFE MOAK LUXOL S. Pace 9, L. Fenech Pace 5, M. Marmara, N. Vella 2, J. Said 1, S. Fenech Pace 11, J. Diaby 6, B. Huffhines 14, V. Baldacchino 2, A. Fenech Pace 9.

BETSSON DEPIRO S. Abela 7, N. Agius, J. Borg Xerri 2, J. Mallia 3, L. Sciberras, C. Ciantar 5, J. Caretti 21, J. Borg 21, N. Borg 4, K. Galea 13.

Referees: N. Azzopardi, F. Ciurariu, N. Rincon.