Last weekend’s Women’s John Tabone Shield action secured the final pairing as Caffe Moak Luxol showcased a balanced and high-energy performance to defeat Betsson Depiro, while Hibernians held off a resilient Starlites team with a 61-53 win.
The two teams face off in the final this weekend as Luxol aim for another triumph after lifting the Shield trophy last season.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 67
BETSSON DEPIRO 56
(20-14, 12-14, 19-17, 16-11)
In a replay of this year’s Super Cup, Luxol’s disciplined and dynamic play carried them to victory over Depiro.
Luxol opened with Brandy Lynn Huffhines netting the first three points of the game, as the Violets quickly established their dominance. Sarah Pace followed up with a fast-break layup, while Huffhines capitalised on a turnover, building a solid 7-0 lead.
Depiro struggled to keep pace early on, but Claire Ciantar’s jump shot finally put them on the board. Luxol’s efficient scoring, however, gave them a firm 20-14 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Depiro sharpened their response in the second quarter as Kristy Galea and Jasmine Mallia found some rhythm. Depiro’s Julia Borg Xerri hit a timely three-pointer to narrow the gap to just three points, but Luxol was quick to retaliate.
Anna Fenech Pace capitalised on turnovers with a tip-in, while Huffhines added another three-pointer to maintain Luxol’s edge. Although Depiro fought hard, Luxol held a 30-27 lead heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw Depiro gain ground, led by Galea’s consistency in the paint. Her scoring helped Depiro take their first lead at 34-32, shifting the momentum momentarily. However, Luxol regrouped, with Pace and Huffhines delivering a strong response to regain control.
Huffhines capitalised on free throws and Ella Abela’s layup in the closing minutes of the third quarter helped Luxol sustain a six-point lead, 51-45, heading into the final rubber.
In the fourth quarter, Roderick Vella’s Luxol showed solid defence and quick scoring runs which helped them extend their advantage. Fenech Pace duo Lisa and Anna contributed with crucial points off turnovers, widening the gap.
Despite Galea’s continued attempts to drive into the paint, Luxol’s accuracy at the freethrow line – especially from Huffhines – cemented their lead. Huffhines ended with a game-high 21 points, leading her team to a 67-56 victory.
Luxol’s cohesive and resilient play made a strong statement ahead of the upcoming final, where they look set to bring the same intensity.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: S. Pace 14, L. Fenech Pace 9, E. Abela 2, S. Fenech Pace 13, B. Huffhines 21, V. Baldacchino 3, S. Sciberras 2, A. Fenech Pace 3.
BETSSON DEPIRO: J. Borg Xerri 13, J. Mallia 2, L. Sciberras 2, C. Ciantar 6, J. Borg 13, N. Borg 1, K. Galea 19.
Referees: N. Azzopardi, M. De Flavia.
HIBERNIANS 61
STARLITES 53
(16-18, 15-8, 17-23, 13-4)
Earlier, the other semifinal was a hard-fought battle between Hibernians and Starlites, with Hibernians pulling through in the final minutes to secure the win.
Starlites’ Makaila Napoleon opened the scoring with a well-placed layup, but Hibernians quickly responded as Mikayla Brandon drove into the paint to equalise.
Brandon was relentless early on, adding another driving layup on a fast break, which helped Hibernians stay competitive against a sharp Starlites side. Napoleon’s early three-pointer kept Starlites ahead, and the teams continued to trade leads in a tightly contested first quarter that concluded with Starlites edging Hibernians 18-16.
In the second quarter, Hibernians began to take control. Maria Bonett’s steady contributions from the free-throw line, along with Steffi de Martino’s agility on fastbreaks, turned the tide in Hibernians’ favour.
Andie Saliba added to the run, scoring on a fastbreak and pushing Hibernians to a 29-23 lead. Starlites responded with a three-pointer from Michela Zammit Cordina, but Hibernians held firm to lead 31-26 at the half.
The third quarter witnessed an offensive surge from Starlites, who appeared determined to reclaim their advantage. Lecuyer and Riolo both hit key three-pointers, while Zammit Cordina’s presence inside the paint put Starlites back in the driver’s seat.
Hibernians, however, answered with Brandon and De Martino teaming up to bring the game back to parity at 37-37. With De Martino driving into the paint and scoring off turnovers, Hibernians pulled slightly ahead, but Lecuyer’s three-pointer at the close of the quarter put Starlites back in contention with a narrow 49-48 lead.
Entering the fourth quarter, Hibernians’ defence and persistence in the paint made the difference. Brandon’s inside scoring proved crucial, allowing Hibernians to regain control. The team maintained their composure, extending their lead with a series of free throws by Saliba and Bonett.
Ultimately, Brandon’s final push in the last minute, which included further second-chance points and free throws, sealed Hibernians’ win.
HIBERNIANS: M. Brandon 18, E. Cassar, A. Saliba 6, J. Abela 2, M. Bonett 14, S. de Martino 21, N. Farrugia, K. Caruana.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 13, M. Riolo 9, C. Cilia 9, P. Riolo, M. Zammit Cordina 6, M. Napoleon 13, F. Fabok 2, Y. Ferrando 1, C. Curmi.
Referees: C. Vassallo, F. Ciurariu.
