This season’s women’s John Tabone Shield opened with two high-pace encounters. Hibernians edged out Super Cup winners Depiro in a tightly contested game, while Starlites powered through Athleta in their return to competitive action. Kurt Aquilina reports…
HIBERNIANS 72
BETSSON DEPIRO 67
(20-16, 18-25, 23-7, 11-19)
Hibernians began their campaign with a hard-fought 72-67 victory over Depiro, in a game that kept fans at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion on the edge of their seats.
Under the guidance of new coach Winnie Buhagiar, Hibernians relied on the brilliance of Steffi De Martino, who led her team both offensively and defensively.
Depiro, despite being crowned Super Cup winners recently, struggled to maintain their intensity in key moments, but they were buoyed by solid performances from Julia Borg and Kristy Galea.
The first quarter saw Hibernians race out of the blocks, with American forward Mikayla Brandon and De Martino setting the pace early.
Brandon’s fastbreak layups and De Martino’s consistent shooting pushed Hibernians to a 10-3 lead, but Depiro, through Borg’s sharp-shooting and Leanne Sciberras’ contributions, clawed back to keep the score at 20-16 by the end of the first period.
Depiro’s fight continued in the second quarter.
Sciberras’ fast breaks and Galea’s clutch shots helped Depiro snatch a 24-22 lead – their first of the game.
A tight battle ensued, with Hibernians staying within touching distance, largely thanks to Andie Saliba and De Martino. By half-time, Depiro held a slim 41-38 advantage.
Hibernians roared back in the third quarter.
Maria Bonett and De Martino combined to push the Paolites into the lead, while Depiro faltered under the increased pressure.
A key run midway through the period saw Hibernians take a 61-48 lead into the final quarter, with Bonett’s back-to-back efforts proving decisive.
Though Depiro mounted a comeback in the closing stages, cutting the deficit to two points thanks to Borg’s three-pointer and Galea’s timely shots, De Martino’s ice-cold shooting under pressure, including a crucial three-pointer, sealed the win for Hibs.
Jasmine Abela’s final shot from beyond the arc ended Depiro’s hopes as the Paolites celebrated a thrilling victory.
HIBERNIANS: M. Brandon 10, S. Vella, E. Cassar 2, A. Saliba 13, J. Abela 13, M. Bonett 7, S. De Martino 27, N. Farrugia, K. Caruana, J. Dabic.
DEPIRO: J. Borg Xerri 8, J. Mallia, L. Sciberras 7, C. Ciantar 12, J. Caretti 1, J. Borg 21, N. Borg 2, K. Galea 16.
Referees: M. De Flavia, Z. Dobrosaviljevic.
STARLITES 80
ATHLETA 61
(32-21, 11-17, 19-7, 18-16)
Starlites made an emphatic start to their season, defeating Athleta 80-61 in their first game of the Women’s John Tabone Shield.
Athleta, back in action after a long hiatus, showed plenty of spirit, but Peter Shoults’ Starlites proved too strong, powered by standout performances from Makaila Napoleon and Sasha Lecuyer. Adrian Baldacchino, making his debut as Athleta coach, faced a steep challenge, as his side struggled to keep pace with the relentless Starlites.
Starlites were quick to impose their dominance in the opening quarter. Michela Zammit Cordina’s two early three-pointers sparked a 12-3 run, with Lecuyer also adding to the score from deep.
Athleta responded through Nicole Vella and Kennedi Williams, but by the end of the first quarter, Starlites had established a commanding 32-21 lead, with Catherine Cilia rounding off the period with a fast break layup.
Athleta’s resilience shone through in the second quarter as they managed to claw their way back into the game. Camila Londono and Vella contributed key points, while Lecuyer’s three-point shooting continued to keep Starlites ahead.
A late three-pointer from Martina Ferrante brought Athleta within one point, but Starlites’ Zammit Cordina quickly responded to maintain a 43-38 lead at the half.
The third quarter saw Starlites shift into another gear. Napoleon dominated the boards, adding vital points off second-chance opportunities, while Lecuyer continued to trouble Athleta’s defence.
Mikela Riolo stepped up with seven points, helping Starlites extend their lead to 62-44 by the end of the quarter.
Athleta, despite Williams’ best efforts, struggled to reduce the gap, as the guard managed just 10 points in the third period.
In the final quarter, Starlites continued to increase their advantage, with Napoleon finishing the game with 31 points, leading her team to a comfortable 80-61 win.
Lecuyer and Zammit Cordina rounded off the scoring, and despite Williams finishing with 19 points, Athleta were left to reflect on a tough reintroduction to the league.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 19, M. Riolo 9, C. Cilia 6, P. Riolo 2, M. Zammit Cordina 13, C. Vella, M. Fenech, M. Napoleon 31, M. Sciberras, F. Fabok, Y. Ferrando, C. Curmi.
ATHLETA: M. Ferrante 5, N. Vella 13, K. Williams 19, J. Cipriott 4, C. Londono 14, K. Abela, C. Caruana, K. Abela 2, L. Camilleri 4, L. Farrugia.
Referees: F. Ciurariu, Z. Dobrosaviljevic.
