STARLITES 64
BETSSON DEPIRO 69
(19-19, 19-17, 10-17, 16-16)
Despite entering the series with fresher legs after sweeping Caffe Moak Luxol in the semi-finals, Starlites were caught off guard early by a determined Betsson Depiro side, who carried the momentum of their own semi-final triumph over Hibernians into the opening minutes of Game 1 of the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League finals.
Starlites raced ahead with Makaila Napoleon making an early statement, converting a layup and two free throws to open the scoring.
Mikela Riolo quickly added more off a turnover, but Joselle Borg Cardona and Janai Crooms found gaps in the Starlites defence, combining for a 7-0 run that swung the early advantage Depiro’s way.
Although Ylenia Bonett momentarily regained the lead for Starlites with a jumper, Kristy Galea’s second-chance tip-in restored Depiro’s edge.
A burst of energy from Sasha Lecuyer flipped the momentum. The guard sparked a 9–0 run with a corner three, followed by a put-back jumper and a layup from Bonett in transition.
Yet Crooms, in arguably her most dominant quarter, single-handedly clawed Depiro back. Scoring 11 of her side’s last 13 first-quarter points, she turned a 17-9 deficit into a 19-19 deadlock by the buzzer.
Depiro nudged ahead early in the second quarter through Neve Borg and maintained composure despite Mikela Riolo’s three-pointer levelling the game.
Philippa Riolo added two from the line before Napoleon reclaimed control, slicing into the lane for a series of tough finishes. Napoleon scored 12 points in the second period alone, including a put-back and a fast-break jumper that gave Starlites a brief cushion.
Depiro, however, refused to fold. Borg Cardona’s steady hand at the line and Julia Borg’s inside presence trimmed the margin again, and despite Napoleon’s late jumper, Galea ensured the gap remained narrow heading into halftime, converting two free throws to leave Depiro trailing just 38-36.
The third quarter opened with Julia Borg Xerri tying the score, but Napoleon’s aggression under the rim gave Starlites a slender lead. Bonett added two from the stripe, but as turnovers mounted for Starlites, Depiro pounced. Borg Cardona tied it once more before Crooms, relentless on the break, put her team ahead.
Claire Ciantar added to the pressure with a layup, and although Napoleon responded with back-to-back drives, Crooms kept the scoreboard ticking for Depiro. Mikela Riolo momentarily pulled Starlites even at 48-48, only for Galea and Crooms to punish lapses again, pushing Depiro ahead 53-48 by quarter’s end.
The final rubber belonged to Crooms and Borg Cardona. The pair scored Depiro’s first 11 points of the quarter, extending the lead to double digits. Napoleon offered resistance, hitting a three and a floater to keep Starlites within reach.
Michela Zammit Cordina chipped in with mid-range jumpers and a fast-break finish, but each time Starlites threatened, Depiro had a response. Borg Cardona and Crooms combined for four more baskets as the clock wound down, and even with late free throws from Bonett and Napoleon, Depiro’s control never wavered.
Crooms sealed the victory with a second-chance finish before Ciantar and Napoleon traded late free throws as when the final buzzer sounded, Depiro emerged the victors of Game 1.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 5, M. Riolo 11, C. Cilia, P. Riolo 1, M. Zammit Cordina 6, M. Fenech, M. Napoleon 34, Y. Bonett 7, C. Curmi.
BETSSON DEPIRO: N. Agius, J. Borg Xerri 2, L. Sciberras, C. Ciantar 4, J. Borg 7, N. Borg 3, K. Galea 9, J. Borg Cardona 15, J. Crooms 29.
Referees: N. Rincon, Z. Dobrosaviljevic, N. Azzopardi.
