The BOV Division One delivered another three-game marathon to end the calendar year on a high on Sunday as SiGMA Depiro edged Valletta Lions in a tightly contested matchup at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.
Hibernians outlasted closest competitors Luxol Sherries Estates, while Starlites JSD dismantled Tigers BT with a commanding performance.
VALLETTA LIONS 68
SIGMA DEPIRO 77
(17-24, 15-14, 16-17, 20-22)
Depiro claimed victory over Valletta with balanced scoring and a strong interior presence to control the game.
The game started with the Citizens showing positive signs, as Eric Terry took control early in the paint with strong finishes around the rim. Piotr Stelmach complemented Terry’s inside presence with precise midrange shooting and timely free throws, helping Valletta stay competitive in the opening quarter.
However, Depiro found their rhythm in the second quarter. Brandon Porter injected energy into their offence with a series of fast-break points, while Nikola Bozovic’s accuracy from deep kept Valletta’s defence stretched.
Cameron Cornelius, meanwhile, dominated the interior, scoring consistently off second chances and drawing fouls to keep Depiro ahead. By halftime, Depiro held a narrow lead, thanks to their ability to capitalise on Valletta’s mistakes, scoring 18 points off turnovers.
The second half saw Valletta struggle to regain control. Stelmach continued to be a key contributor, finding success in the paint and at the line. Yet, Depiro’s balanced attack proved too much to overcome. Cornelius finished with 22 points, combining scoring with rebounding dominance, while Porter and Bozovic provided steady offensive output throughout the game. Depiro’s bench also outperformed Valletta’s, contributing 15 points to their opponents’ five.
In the final minutes, Depiro’s composure under pressure sealed the win. Despite a late surge by Valletta, the defensive presence of Cornelius and Porter’s consistent scoring ensured Depiro maintained their edge.
VALLETTA LIONS N. Grech 2, F. Mifsud Bonnici, P. Stelmach 25, N. Vasovic 11, S. Vincic 6, E. Terry 24.
SIGMA DEPIRO S. Galea 4, D. Bugeja 3, N. Bozovic 16, D. Tomasi 4, B. Porter 14, M. Brincat 14, C. Cornelius 22, M. Debattista.
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, N. Rincon.
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES 82
HIBERNIANS 93
(13-12, 23-25, 25-25, 21-31)
Later, Hibernians got back to winning ways as they edged Luxol.
Despite the defeat, Luxol’s Darron Howard delivered a performance to remember, scoring 43 points through a mix of powerful drives, midrange jumpers, and fast-break finishes.
Nathan Xuereb added 23 points, providing consistent support as Luxol pushed Hibernians throughout the contest.
Hibernians countered with a composed and balanced approach. Tedrick Wolfe led the way with 35 points. Ivan Demcesen added 18 points, using his size to dominate in the post and provide critical defensive stops.
Derek Brown contributed 14 points, many of which came in transition, keeping Hibernians ahead during key stretches of the game.
In the second quarter, Hibernians began to assert their control, outscoring Luxol with strong fast-break play and clinical perimeter shooting. Luxol struggled to match Hibernians’ depth, with only three points coming from their bench compared to Hibernians’ 14.
However, the third quarter saw Luxol mount a spirited comeback. Led by Howard and Xuereb, they narrowed the deficit to just one point as the game entered a tense phase.
In the final quarter, Hibernians’ experience shone through. Wolfe three-pointers and Demcesen’s control in the paint proved pivotal, allowing them to pull away. Luxol’s inability to convert turnovers into points – managing just eight compared to Hibernians’ 20 in transition – ultimately cost them the game.
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES: D. Howard 43, A. Azzopardi, JP Schembri 3, N. Xuereb 23, N. Bukva 3, C. Jones-McCrary 7, M. Matijevic, S. Cappello 3.
HIBERNIANS: N. Cassar, T. Wolfe 35, D. Brown 15, P. Attard, L. Farrugia 6, A. Axiaq 4, M. Gouder 9, M. Attard, M. Mallia, I. Demcesen 18, S. Simic 6.
Referees: Z. Dobrosaviljevic, F. Ciurariu, W. Lim.
TIGERS BT 75
STARLITES JSD 119
(28-25, 16-30, 21-30, 10-34)
Title-holders Starlites delivered the most dominant performance of the weekend, dismantling Tigers BT in a game which saw Max Curran become the star of the show, scoring 35 points through his ability to convert turnovers into fast-break points.
This set the tone early, while Trevon Reddish-Rhone and Kolten Mortensen added 25 and 17 points, respectively, as Paul Ferrante’s clan faced the league’s bottom side without Canadian forward Joe Davis.
Tigers started the game well, with Israel Lockamy leading their offence with 28 points, including five three-pointers.
Serge Hamparsoumian contributed 14 points, providing a solid scoring presence in the midrange. However, Starlites’ depth and intensity quickly overwhelmed them.
By the second quarter, Starlites had established control, capitalising on Tigers’ turnovers and defensive lapses. Curran and Reddish-Rhone combined for multiple scoring runs, stretching the lead into double digits by half-time.
The second half saw Starlites pull away further, outscoring the Tigers 64-33.
Mortensen’s inside scoring and Miguel Fabri’s three-point shooting added to the onslaught, while Starlites’ bench outscored Tigers’ reserves 24-10.
The defensive effort from Starlites forced Tigers into rushed shots and turnovers, which they punished with precision. Late contributions from Mortensen and Fabri ensured the victory was an emphatic one.
TIGERS BT: S. Hamparsoumian 14, I. Lockamy 28, K. Micaller 12, M. Jalkh, D. Costantino 10, S. Saakian 11.
STARLITES JSD: M. Curran 35, A. Aquilina 8, K. Fabri 5, I. Felice Pace 2, M. Fabri 11, L. Riolo 2, M. Scerri 7, L. Farrugia 2, K. Xuereb 5, K. Mortensen 17, T. Reddish-Rhone.
Referees: N. Azzopardi, F. Ciurariu, W. Lim.
STANDINGS: Hibernians 18; Starlites JSD, Valletta Lions 15; Luxol Sherries Estates, AtoZ Athleta 13, SiGMA Depiro 12, Tigers BT 10.
