BETSSON DEPIRO 79
STARLITES 52
(22-18, 19-14, 15-16, 23-4)
The MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s Super Cup tipped off the new season with an early test of fresh squads on both sides, which ultimately went Betsson Depiro’s way as the Mtarfa side’s balance, rebounding power, and transition pace secured them a commanding victory and the first trophy of the season.
Depiro were boosted by the return of Sophie Abela, who had spent the past year in Spain with CB Isla Bonita, while Starlites reshaped their roster over the summer by adding Julija Dabic from Hibernians, Sabrina Abugrin from Valletta BC, and Rebbecca Naudi from Caffe Moak Luxol.
Yet the afternoon also carried extra intrigue as both clubs introduced their new imports.
Depiro’s Lovely Sonnier and Georgia Haverlock, for Starlites, arrived with strong reputations, and both players delivered immediately.
Sonnier exploded for 29 points in her first competitive game in Malta, while Haverlock hit 20 in a losing effort.
Depiro also debuted Andrea Tollar, who also joined from CB Isla Bonita, making a quieter debut compared to her fellow import players.
The statistics underlined Depiro’s dominance. Sonnier led all players with 11 rebounds, supported by captain Claire Privitera with eight, while Joselle Borg Cardona, Tollar and Abela combined for 16 more.
Abela’s steady contribution of ten points, six boards, and five assists showed her value on both ends. Julia Borg Xerri’s seven assists highlighted Depiro’s ball movement, and Nicole Agius’s 15 points on three triples gave them a reliable outside threat.
For Starlites, Haverlock’s 20 points and eight rebounds stood out, as did Dabic’s nine points and eight boards.
Naudi added eight, including two key first-half baskets, but the team struggled with cohesion, giving away turnovers and conceding too many second-chance opportunities. Their 32% shooting and reliance on free throws left them chasing the game for much of the afternoon.
Sonnier’s debut could hardly have started better. She drained a three-pointer immediately and followed with a layup to set the tone.
Starlites captain Mikela Riolo replied with her own three-pointer to steady Starlites, and Dabic added a floater in the paint to push them ahead briefly.
Depiro quickly responded. Borg Xerri knocked a floating jumper. Borg Cardona then collected an offensive rebound and scored to widen the gap.
Starlites kept close as Naudi scored on a second-chance effort, but Sonnier’s accuracy at the line and Borg Xerri’s fast-break finish lifted Depiro further.
Haverlock showed her shooting touch with a three-pointer, and Catherine Cilia added a layup to tie the score.
Yet coach Julian Naudi’s Depiro hit back instantly. Agius sank her first three-ball from a turnover and soon after hit another on the break. Although Naudi nailed a late triple for Starlites, Agius responded again with a long-range shot to ensure Depiro led 22-18 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter continued in the same vein. Sonnier hit a fast-break three-pointer and drew fouls to add from the line.
Coach Peter Shoults’ Starlites leaned heavily on Haverlock, who worked inside, absorbed contact, and made six of her seven free throws before half-time.
Dabic also found space in the paint to add two more baskets, but Depiro always had an answer. Abela kept the scoreboard ticking with a mid-range shot, while Agius drove strongly to the basket. Borg capitalised on offensive rebounds, stretching the margin. Privitera began to impose herself defensively.
By the interval, Sonnier had already piled up 15 points, Depiro leading 41-32.
Starlites came out of the break intent on reducing the deficit. Haverlock converted a layup on the break and a jumper on the next possession. Dabic and Naudi both hit home from close range, cutting the margin to four.
But Depiro remained composed. Sonnier responded with a reverse layup to reach 20 points, and her efficiency at the line prevented any Starlites’ momentum. Though Haverlock pushed her tally to 17 by the end of the rubber, Depiro kept control and entered the final quarter 56-48 ahead.
The last rubber removed any doubt. Abela opened with two free throws and then drove inside for another layup. Sonnier dominated the paint with back-to-back scores, and Borg Cardona added from the line. Starlites struggled to create clean looks, with Depiro’s defence forcing turnovers and limiting them to rushed shots.
Haverlock tried to carry her side, hitting a jumper to pass the 20-point mark, but Sonnier was unstoppable. She scored again on a drive, then stepped outside for a late three-pointer. Agius closed her account with a third triple, and Borg Cardona added a driving layup to finish with eight points and six rebounds.
Privitera controlled the glass with authority, while Borg provided energy with her own eight boards. Depiro’s bench also got in on the act, with Samira Deguara scoring the final basket of the day.
BETSSON DEPIRO: S. Abela 10, N. Agius 15, J. Borg Xerri 5, J. Mallia, C. Privitera 4, A. Tollar Lopez 2, N. Borg 3, L. Sonnier 29, S. Deguara 2, J. Borg Cardona 8, H. Farag 1.
STARLITES: M. Riolo 3, C. Cilia 2, P. Riolo 5, M. Zammit Cordina 3, S. Abugrin, M. Fenech 2, R. Naudi 8, G. Haverlock 20, F. Vella, K. Gatt, J. Dabic 9.
Referees: N. Rincon, B. Vassallo, A. Attard.
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