This season’s favourites for the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League crown Betsson Depiro and Caffe Moak Luxol battled it out twice over the space of three days with both sides taking a piece of the points as Depiro won the first encounter on Saturday, while Luxol got their revenge on Monday.
Meanwhile, Starlites and Hibernians continued their fight for the third seed with wins against Athleta and Valletta Lionesses.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 66
BETSSON DEPIRO 80
(10-25, 18-17, 22-16, 16-22)
Depiro solidified their position at the top of the standings with a commanding performance against Luxol. The Violets initially took the lead through Sarah Fenech Pace, but Depiro responded swiftly as Julia Borg and Janai Crooms imposed their influence on the game. Claire Ciantar’s presence inside was vital, and when Borg knocked down consecutive three-pointers, Depiro opened up a double-digit lead. A three-pointer from Crooms on the break further stretched the advantage, and by the end of the first quarter, Depiro led 25-10.
Luxol attempted to rally in the second quarter through Lisa and Anna Fenech Pace, but Depiro’s composed execution kept them in control. Every time Luxol made a push, Crooms or Ciantar responded, ensuring the lead never dipped below double figures. Brandy Huffhines made a late impact with a deep three, but Depiro maintained their composure to hold a steady 42-28 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter saw Luxol push hard to reduce the deficit, with Huffhines and Josephine Diaby adding crucial baskets. However, Crooms continued to be a handful for the Luxol defence, keeping Depiro’s cushion intact with precise shooting. Despite Luxol’s efforts, Depiro entered the final period leading 58-50.
Luxol needed a strong start in the fourth quarter, but Nicole Agius drilled a three-pointer to put Depiro firmly back in control. Even as Luxol scrambled for late points through Anna Fenech Pace and Huffhines, Crooms stamped her authority on the game with back-to-back transition baskets to close it out.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: G. Carabott, L. Fenech Pace 10, N. Vella 2, S. Fenech Pace 11, J. Diaby 6, B. Huffhines 19, V. Baldacchino 3, A. Fenech Pace 15.
BETSSON DEPIRO: N. Agius 7, J. Borg Xerri 1, L. Sciberras 6, C. Ciantar 12, J. Borg 13, N. Borg, K. Galea 14, J. Crooms 27.
Referees: M. De Flavia, W. Lim.
ATHLETA 46
STARLITES 76
(6-31, 7-19, 17-14, 16-12)
Starlites continued their dominant form with a comprehensive win over Athleta.
Britney Agius gave Athleta an early lead, but Starlites responded emphatically. Makaila Napoleon struck quickly, and Philippa Riolo followed with a transition layup. Starlites’ defence was relentless, forcing turnovers that Napoleon and Michela Zammit Cordina converted into easy points. By the end of the first quarter, Starlites had built a dominant 31-6 advantage.
Athleta attempted to regroup in the second quarter, with Laura Camilleri scoring off a turnover and Kennedi Williams hitting a three-pointer to stop the bleeding. However, Starlites’ firepower remained relentless, with Zammit Cordina and Napoleon extending the lead even further. Starlites maintained their grip on the game, entering halftime with a commanding 50-13 lead.
The third quarter saw Athleta put together a better showing, with Williams pushing the pace and Sant adding second-chance points. However, Starlites continued to execute efficiently, maintaining their sizeable advantage and closing the period ahead 64-30.
With the result all but secured, Starlites continued to find success in the fourth quarter. Riolo connected from deep before Agius and Abela found some consolation points inside for Athleta. Williams continued to battle, adding further fast-break scores, but the gap remained wide enough to ensure a Starlites victory.
ATHLETA: K. Williams 15, B. Agius 4, M. Ferrante, N. Vella 6, M. Cassar Pickard, F. Sant 5, A. Micallef 4, J. Cipriott 2, K. Abela, C. Caruana 4, K. Abela 4, L. Camilleri 2.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 8, M. Riolo 12, L. Zammit, P. Riolo 3, M. Zammit Cordina 19, S. Tabone, A. Lupo 2, M. Napoleon 18, F. Vella, E. Degiorgio 5, C. Curmi 5, Y. Bonett 4.
Referees: N. Azzopardi, A. Attard.
VALLETTA LIONESSES 48
HIBERNIANS 61
(5-15, 12-15, 20-15, 11-16)
In the final game of the weekend, Valletta gave Hibernians a stern challenge before ultimately falling in the fourth quarter.
Sara Kankaras gave Valletta an early lead, but Julija Dabic quickly levelled the score and took control inside. Hibernians’ pressure forced turnovers that led to easy baskets, with Ashiala Jackson and Jasmine Abela helping to push the lead to 15-5 by the end of the first quarter.
Valletta kept fighting in the second quarter, with Olesia Malashenko providing valuable contributions off the bench. However, Hibernians’ execution from the free-throw line and Steffi De Martino’s timely scoring ensured they retained control. Valletta tried to cut into the lead, but Hibernians entered halftime with a 30-17 advantage.
Malashenko sparked Valletta’s best spell in the third quarter, draining three-pointers to cut the deficit to three. Hibernians looked rattled as Valletta pressed high, with Aleksandra Nikishina finishing a second-chance basket to make it a one-point game. However, De Martino and Maria Bonett answered with crucial scores, keeping Hibernians ahead 45-37 going into the fourth quarter.
Nicole Caruana and Malashenko struck early in the fourth, bringing Valletta within two points, but Kaya Calleja drained a three-pointer to halt their momentum. Hibernians then stepped up defensively and final surge led by Dabic and Jackson sealed the win for the Paolites.
VALLETTA LIONESSES: A. Parnis, S. Aburgin 1, N. Caruana 6, A. Nikishina 2, H. Grixti 4, T. Nikishina 2, S. Kankaras 6, O. Malashenko 29.
HIBERNIANS: M. Buhagiar 2, S. Vella 2, E. Cassar, A. Saliba 3, J. Abela 3, M. Bonett 5, S. De Martino 11, K. Calleja 6, A. Jackson 13, J. Dabic 16.
Referees: G. Barbara, W. Lim.
Monday’s game
BETSSON DEPIRO 50
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 53
(15-20, 10-13, 11-11, 14-9)
Luxol rebounded strongly from their previous defeat to Depiro a few hours earlier, producing a disciplined defensive display that restricted Crooms’ scoring output and secured a crucial victory. Huffhines led the charge for the Violets, while Anna Fenech Pace provided valuable scoring support. Depiro fought until the final moments, but their late comeback fell just short.
Huffhines opened the scoring, but Galea quickly responded with a three-pointer. Luxol found early success in transition, with Diaby and Anna Fenech Pace converting fast-break layups. Depiro, however, kept their composure as Crooms and Borg extended their lead to 11-6. Luxol then tightened their defence, forcing turnovers that resulted in quick points from Diaby and Lisa Fenech Pace. Huffhines capped off a late surge, helping Luxol establish a 20-15 advantage.
Galea again ignited Depiro’s offence with a fast-break three-pointer, but Luxol maintained their momentum. Huffhines and Anna Fenech Pace extended the lead, with strong defensive efforts limiting Depiro’s attack. Crooms kept Depiro within reach, but Luxol had an answer for every push.
Depiro made a final push in the fourth, with Crooms bringing them within a single point before Fenech Pace sealed the win from the line.
BETSSON DEPIRO: N. Agius 5, J. Borg Xerri 3, L. Sciberras 3, C. Ciantar 2, J. Borg 2, N. Borg, K. Galea 11, J. Crooms 24.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: L. Fenech Pace 4, S. Fenech Pace 4, J. Diaby 8, B. Huffhines 17, V. Baldacchino 5, A. Fenech Pace 15.
Referees: B. Vassallo, N. Azzopardi.
STANDINGS
Betsson Depiro 24; Caffe Moak Luxol 23; Starlites 22; Hibernians 19; Athleta 15; Valletta Lionesses 14.
