The MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League showed no surprises last weekend as Betsson Depiro and Caffe Moak Luxol kept up their solid run in the top two spots of the standings.
Starlites continued to show their renewed energy with another victory to keep their name in the running for this year’s honours.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 80
ATHLETA 45
(23-18, 17-8, 28-7, 12-12)
Luxol delivered a commanding performance against Athleta to keep themselves close to leaders Depiro as business end approaches.
Brandy Lynn Huffhines spearheaded the Violets’ attack, setting the tone early with back-to-back three-pointers, helping her team establish an early lead.
Lisa Fenech Pace added to Luxol’s momentum with a pair of strong finishes in the paint, while Josephine Diaby’s presence in transition kept Athleta’s defence on the back foot.
Kennedi Williams tried to rally Athleta with aggressive drives to the basket, converting several free throws to keep the score close.
Nicole Vella also chipped in with a timely three-pointer, but Huffhines’ sharpshooting proved too much to handle, as Luxol ended the first quarter with a
23-18 advantage.
The second quarter saw Luxol assert their dominance, with Huffhines continuing her stellar form, nailing consecutive three-pointers to widen the gap.
Sarah Fenech Pace and Vanya Baldacchino complemented the offensive surge with critical contributions in the paint, extending Luxol’s lead to double digits.
Despite efforts from Martina Ferrante and Williams to close the gap, Athleta struggled to contain Luxol’s offensive flow, trailing 40-26 at halftime.
Luxol’s control of the game grew in the third quarter, as Diaby and Rebecca Naudi thrived in transition.
Naudi’s scoring burst, including a three-pointer and several driving layups, highlighted the team’s ability to capitalise on turnovers.
Athleta’s offence was limited to occasional scores from Williams and Ferrante, as Luxol’s defence suffocated their efforts. By the end of the third quarter, Luxol’s lead ballooned to 68-33, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
In the final quarter, Huffhines capped off her outstanding performance with another three-pointer, finishing as the game’s top scorer.
Jada Said and Naudi added the finishing touches, while Williams’ valiant effort for Athleta, including a late three-pointer, offered a glimpse of her quality.
However, the gap was insurmountable as Luxol cruised to an emphatic victory.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: L. Fenech Pace 6, M. Marmara, H. Galea, J. Said 3, E. Abela, S. Fenech Pace 9, J. Diaby 11, B. Huffhines 26, V. Baldacchino 5, R. Fenech Pace 2, R. Naudi 13, A. Fenech Pace.
ATHLETA: K. Williams 22, B. Agius 4, M. Ferrante 4, N. Vella 4, M. Cassar Pickard, F. Sant 5, A. Micallef 2, J. Cipriott, K. Abela 2, L. Camilleri.
Referees: Z. Dobrosaviljevic, A. Attard.
BETSSON DEPIRO 95
HIBERNIANS 75
(18-20, 29-20, 33-18, 15-17)
Depiro solidified their position at the top of the league standings with a commanding performance against Hibernians on Sunday, characterised by their balanced scoring and relentless defensive pressure.
The game opened with Depiro’s Kristy Galea converting two free throws before Hibernians’ Maria Bonett responded with a three-pointer to establish an early lead.
Hibernians extended their advantage through Julija Dabic and Ashiala Jackson, whose jump shots from turnovers highlighted the team’s fast start.
However, Depiro’s Nicole Agius ignited her side with consecutive layups, reducing the deficit and closing the first quarter trailing by just two points at 20-18.
Depiro’s momentum carried into the second quarter, with Janai Crooms excelling in transition, contributing a series of layups and tip-ins.
Julia Borg Xerri’s accuracy from beyond the arc proved vital, helping Depiro seize the lead midway through the period.
Despite Jackson’s dominance in the paint for Hibernians, amassing several second-chance points, Depiro’s defensive intensity led to turnovers, allowing Agius and Crooms to push their team ahead. By halftime, Depiro led 47-40.
Crooms continued to dominate in the third quarter, showcasing her ability to finish consistently in the paint while also capitalising on turnovers.
Depiro’s lead widened as Galea connected on multiple three-pointers, effectively punishing Hibs’ defensive lapses.
Bonett and Dabic kept Hibernians in contention with key baskets, but they struggled to contain Depiro’s pace and offensive rebounding. The quarter ended with Depiro firmly in control, leading 80-58.
The final quarter saw more of the same, with Crooms closing out a spectacular performance by driving into the paint at will, adding 17 points in the final rubber to finish with an impressive 48 points.
Despite Jackson’s valiant effort, tallying 35 points for Hibernians, her team could not match Depiro’s depth and transition efficiency.
Galea and Agius continued to support Crooms with critical contributions, while Hibernians’ occasional scoring spurts, led by Bonett, failed to dent Depiro’s commanding lead as Julian Naudi’s clan secured the dominant victory.
BETSSON DEPIRO: N. Agius 16, J. Borg Xerri 8, C. Ciantar 4, J. Borg, N. Borg 4, K. Galea 14, J. Borg Cardona 1, H. Farag, J. Crooms 48.
HIBERNIANS: M. Buhagiar, S. Vella, A. Saliba 7, J. Abela, M. Bonett 10, S. De Martino 14, K. Calleja, N. Farrugia, A. Jackson 35, K. Caruana, J. Dabic 9.
Referees: N. Azzopardi, W. Lim.
VALLETTA LIONESSES 59
STARLITES 92
(12-19, 15-28, 12-25, 20-20)
Starlites displayed their continued improvement under coach Peter Shoults with a convincing performance against Valletta Lionesses on Saturday.
The game began with a balanced exchange as Starlites’ Sasha Lecuyer scored on a fast break and converted a free throw for an early three-point play. Valletta’s Sabina Abugrin responded with a series of driving layups to keep her team within reach.
However, Starlites began to assert control through Makaila Napoleon, whose consistent scoring from turnovers in the paint and second-chance opportunities saw her tally eight points in the opening quarter.
Lecuyer and Ylenia Bonett combined effectively, with Bonett capping the period with a floating jump shot to secure a 19-12 advantage.
The second quarter saw Starlites extend their lead, capitalising on turnovers with Lecuyer’s three-point accuracy and fast-break prowess leading the charge.
Michela Zammit Cordina and Christina Curmi added to the tally with crucial jump shots and free throws, respectively.
Valletta’s resilience showed through Olesia Malashenko, who fought hard under the basket with successive tip-ins, but Lecuyer’s commanding performance ensured Starlites led 47-27 by halftime.
Valletta attempted to mount a comeback in the third quarter, spearheaded by Malashenko’s determined efforts in the paint, pushing her tally to 19 points.
Nevertheless, Starlites’ Zammit Cordina and Bonett continued to find gaps in Valletta’s defence, combining for over 20 points during a dominant stretch that left Valletta struggling.
A late surge from Valletta’s Sarah Kankaras with consecutive free throws offered a glimmer of hope, but Starlites’ lead remained unshaken.
In the final quarter, Starlites cemented their dominance, with Lecuyer and Philippa Riolo proving instrumental to maintain a steady double-digit lead.
Despite a late effort from Valletta’s Taisiia Nikishina and Kankaras, who provided spirited displays with floating jump shots, the gap was too wide to close.
Malashenko’s game-high 25 points were a highlight for Valletta, but they ultimately succumbed to a disciplined and opportunistic Starlites team.
VALLETTA LIONESSES: S. Abugrin 7, N. Caruana 4, M. Momcilovic 2, H. Grixti 3, T. Nikishina 2, S. Kankaras 16, O. Malashenko 25.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 22, M. Riolo 9, P. Riolo 12, M. Zammit Cordina 11, S. Tabonne 4, A. Lupo, M. Napoleon 9, L. Zammit, F. Vella, E. Degiorgio, C. Curmi 7, Y. Bonett 14.
Referees: Z. Dobrosaviljevic, W. Lim.
STANDINGS: Betsson Depiro 19; Caffe Moak Luxol, Starlites 18; Hibernians 16; Athleta 13; Valletta Lionesses 12.
