There were no surprises last weekend in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League as leaders Betsson Depiro, champions Caffe Moak Luxol and Starlites all took solid victories at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.
These victories confirmed the teams’ final positions in the regular season standings with just one game to go following the Knockout competition this month.
STARLITES 62
VALLETTA LIONESSES 42
(14-7, 17-9, 11-14, 20-12)
Starlites secured third place in the standings with a dominant win over Valletta Lionesses on Sunday. Despite a stellar performance from Olesia Malashenko, who registered 21 points and 21 rebounds, Starlites’ balanced team effort proved decisive.
Valletta struck first through Malashenko’s fast-break layup, but Starlites responded swiftly as Makaila Napoleon and Ylenia Bonett put them ahead. Philippa Riolo, Bonett, and Napoleon capitalised on Valletta’s turnovers to build momentum, while Sasha Lecuyer’s late free throws gave Starlites a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Valletta opened the second quarter with free throws from Sara Kankaras, but Christina Curmi drained consecutive three-pointers to push the margin into double digits. Mikela Riolo added another from beyond the arc, before Sabrina Abugrin finally halted Valletta’s slide with a mid-range jumper. Starlites remained in control, as Napoleon finished a fast break and Riolo hit another three. Malashenko momentarily cut the deficit, but Starlites led 31-16 at half-time.
After the break, Valletta fought back through Abugrin and Kankaras, with Malashenko’s three-pointer trimming the gap to 15. However, Starlites maintained their composure, forcing turnovers and extending their lead to 42-30 by the third quarter.
Curmi’s three-pointer opened the final period as Starlites pulled away. Napoleon, Bonett, Lecuyer, and Curmi stretched the lead beyond 20. Malashenko continued to battle inside, but Starlites remained in control, sealing a comfortable victory.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 7, M. Riolo 9, M. Cassar Borg 2, P. Riolo 2, E. Jo Degiorgio, A. Lupo, M. Napoleon 10, Y. Bonett 15, F. Vella 4, S. Tabone 2, C. Curmi 9, M. Costa 2.
VALLETTA LIONESSES: A. Parnis 4, S. Abugrin 6, A. Caballero 2, M. Mifsud, A. Nikishina 1, H. Grixti, T. Nikishina, S. Kankaras 8, O. Malashenko 21.
Referees: F. Ciurariu, N. Azzopardi.
HIBERNIANS 65
BETSSON DEPIRO 84
(10-25, 19-18, 26-22, 10-19)
Depiro cemented their place at the top of the standings with a commanding victory over Hibernians, establishing early control and withstanding a late push.
Julia Borg starred with six three-pointers, while Janai Crooms delivered a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Ashiala Jackson led Hibernians with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Kristy Galea opened the scoring from the line before Borg hit a transition three. Steffi De Martino responded for Hibernians, but Crooms quickly pushed Depiro ahead. Borg capitalised on turnovers with another three, while Claire Ciantar and Crooms added inside points. Jackson briefly halted the slide, but Galea and Joselle Borg Cardona extended the lead as Depiro surged to a 25-10 advantage after one quarter.
Borg remained hot in the second quarter, scoring off a second-chance floater and a pull-up jumper. Jackson answered with consecutive layups, but Borg’s long-range shooting pushed Depiro past 20 points. Julija Dabic and Kaya Calleja chipped in for Hibernians, with Jackson finding success from midrange. However, Depiro’s momentum remained intact, leading 43-29 at half-time.
Jackson struck first after the break, but Borg’s three-pointer restored Depiro’s cushion. Galea, Ciantar, and Borg Xerri added baskets, while De Martino and Jackson kept Hibernians within reach. Depiro still led 65-55 entering the final quarter.
De Martino’s three trimmed the deficit to seven, but Crooms quickly replied. Depiro controlled the final minutes, as Ciantar and Borg Xerri kept scoring, and Crooms sealed the win with transition layups, confirming Depiro’s dominance.
HIBERNIANS: M. Buhagiar, A. Saliba 6, J. Abela, M. Bonett 13, S. De Martino 13, K. Calleja 2, N. Farrugia, A. Jackson 23, J. Dabic 8.
BETSSON DEPIRO: N. Agius, J. Borg Xerri 9, L. Sciberras 2, C. Ciantar 10, J. Borg 28, N. Borg, K. Galea 12, J. Borg Cardona 4, J. Crooms 19.
Referees: Z. Dobrosaviljevic, M. De Flavia.
ATHLETA 46
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 81
(7-24, 14-18, 13-18, 12-21)
Caffe Moak Luxol secured a commanding victory over Athleta, building an early lead and never looking back. Brandy Lynn Huffhines led the charge with 20 points, while Kennedi Williams matched her tally as Athleta’s main offensive weapon.
Luxol made an immediate statement as Anna Fenech Pace and Vanya Baldacchino struck early. Athleta responded through Nicole Vella’s free throw and a Williams jumper, but Luxol surged ahead with Huffhines, Josephine Diaby, and Sarah Fenech Pace capitalising on defensive pressure. By the end of the first quarter, a Huffhines three-pointer had stretched Luxol’s lead to 24-7.
Athleta attempted to regroup in the second quarter as Chantelle Caruana converted free throws, but Luxol remained dominant.
Sarah Fenech Pace pushed the lead to 18 before Williams hit back-to-back jumpers. Huffhines responded immediately with a three-pointer, while Luxol’s aggressive defence created easy baskets for Diaby, Baldacchino, and Rebecca Naudi.
Despite brief resistance from Britney Agius and Williams, Baldacchino’s free throws closed the half at 42-21.
Williams opened the third quarter with a layup, but Luxol’s control remained unshaken. Huffhines remained clinical from the line, with Diaby and Fenech Pace adding inside baskets. Athleta found some success through Julia Cipriott’s jumpers, but Luxol maintained their grip, leading 60-34 entering the final quarter.
With the outcome decided, both teams rotated their squads. Rebecca Fenech Pace added late points, sealing a dominant win as Luxol comfortably closed out the game.
ATHLETA K. Williams 20, B. Agius 4, M. Ferrante, N. Vella 5, M. Cassar Pickard, A. Micallef 2, J. Cipriott 4, K. Abela, C. Caruana 2, K. Abela 3, L. Camilleri 6.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: G. Carabott, L. Fenech Pace, M. Marmara, N. Vella 2, E. Abela 2, S. Fenech Pace 13, J. Diaby 12, B. Huffhines 20, V. Baldacchino 8, R. Fenech Pace 9, R. Naudi 6, A. Fenech Pace 9.
Referees: M. De Flavia, W. Lim.
STANDINGS
Betsson Depiro 26; Caffe Moak Luxol 25; Starlites 24; Hibernians 20; Athleta 16; Valletta Lionesses 15.
