The women’s John Tabone Shield returned for its second week of play at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion on Sunday.
It was an emphatic opening to Caffe Moak Luxol’s season as they steamed past Athleta, handing the Gzira side their second-straight defeat.
Later, Betsson Depiro continued to assert their dominance with a close victory over fellow favourites Hibernians.
ATHLETA 46
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 82
(14-30, 12-13, 8-20, 12-19)
Luxol made a commanding start to their Shield campaign, overpowering an Athleta side still searching for consistency after their opening defeat to Starlites Revive.
The Violets’ superior pace, ball movement, and outside shooting proved decisive, with Olivia Wikstrom leading the charge in a performance that dictated the rhythm from the outset.
Wikstrom’s blend of perimeter accuracy and transition finishing underpinned Luxol’s fluid offence – leading her to an incredible 38-point tally and a confirmed double-double after 21 rebounds, while 16-point finisher Lisa Fenech Pace provided valuable spacing with multiple three-pointers and efficient mid-range shooting.
Sarah Fenech Pace complemented the attack with steady interior contributions, and Luxol’s collective defensive work forced frequent turnovers, converting them into quick points.
For Athleta, import player Izabelle Booth remained the brightest spark, showing intent from deep and creating key drives when her side sought momentum to finish with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Kaya Calleja offered some control inside the paint, supported by Nicole Vella’s rebounding presence, but Athleta’s struggles from the perimeter and defensive lapses widened the deficit as the game progressed.
Roderick Vella’s Luxol wasted little time setting the tone, racing ahead through early triples from Lisa Fenech Pace and Jada Said.
Calleja’s floating jumper briefly interrupted the surge.
But Luxol replied through Wikstrom, who caught fire with a run that stretched Athleta’s defence, before another Wikstrom long-range effort and a pair of composed fast-break finishes.
Booth’s three-pointer gave Athleta a short reprieve, though the opening quarter closed with Luxol firmly in control, building a double-digit cushion through relentless transition play.
Adrian Baldacchino-led Athleta rallied early in the second quarter as Booth and Vella found success in the lane, reducing the gap through patient execution.
Yet Luxol’s composure re-emerged, with Sarah Fenech Pace sparking a fresh burst from distance and Baldacchino and Wikstrom punishing turnovers to restore comfort.
Despite moments of promise, the Athleta entered the halftime interval facing a sizeable margin as Luxol’s efficiency held firm.
The pattern continued after the break.
Lisa Fenech Pace and Wilkstrom combined for a string of baskets that broke Athleta’s rhythm, while Eve Axisa and Ella Abela’s free throws, coupled with Baldacchino’s efforts extended the margin.
Booth and Kirsty Caruana managed isolated replies, but Luxol’s defensive pressure left little room for recovery.
By the final rubber, the tempo slowed only slightly as Luxol’s depth ensured the outcome remained beyond doubt.
Wikstrom’s scoring streak persisted with successive fast-break layups and free throws, sealing a dominant display that underscored Luxol’s early credentials and left Athleta still chasing their first win of the competition.
ATHLETA: E. Farrugia, J. Schembri 2, N. Vella 6, K. Calleja 8, E. Wauman 2, A. Micallef, K. Caruana 6, J. Micallef 3, I. Booth 15, K. Abela 2, L. Camilleri 2.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: G. Carabott 2, K. Magro, E. Axisa 2, L. Fenech Pace 16, H. Galea, R. Fenech Pace, J. Said 3, E. Abela 2, S. Fenech Pace 9, O. Wikstrom 38, V. Baldacchino 6, S. Sciberras 4.
Referees: M. De Flavia, N. Da Silva.
HIBERNIANS 60
BETSSON DEPIRO 69
(16-14, 15-16, 12-19, 17-20)
Hibernians and Depiro produced an early-season contest worthy of their billing as likely title contenders in the Shield.
The game delivered the intensity and precision expected of two sides built around established core groups and reliable scorers.
It was a game characterised by Maltese players leading the scoring as Andie Saliba led Hibs with a polished all-round display, her 22 points stemming from sharp shooting and decisive drives that repeatedly disrupted Depiro’s defensive shape. Support came from Hailey MacLeod’s inside work and Josephine Diaby’s energy on the boards.
For Depiro, Sophie Abela was the primary force, mixing patient half-court execution with assertive cuts to the rim and a 23-point, eight rebounds finish, while Lovely Sonnier’s athleticism and outside shooting maintained the visitors’ scoring rhythm as she added another 22 points and nine rebounds.
Sonnier’s range and steady contribution from the line helped balance Depiro’s attack, keeping the game within striking distance before decisive runs on both sides shaped the outcome.
The game opened at a lively tempo, Saliba striking first with a confident jumper before Abela levelled matters with a floater.
The Mtarfa side briefly moved ahead through a Nicole Agius triple and Abela’s composed free throws, but Diaby and Maria Bonett replied to restore parity.
A pair of quick baskets from Bonett and Saliba swung momentum Hibernians’ way late in the quarter, capped by MacLeod’s free throws to secure a narrow lead as the first period closed.
Julian Naudi-led Depiro responded early in the second as Joselle Borg Cardona, Sonnier and Abela combined to edge them in front, yet Saliba’s accuracy from beyond the arc steadied the Paolites once more.
Bonett’s free throws extended the cushion, though Abela and Sonnier answered with back-to-back triples to level the score. Hibs regained control through another Saliba three-pointer and a composed jumper from Steffi De Martino just before the interval.
The third quarter opened with a pair of Saliba free throws before Depiro mounted a strong surge. Abela’s inside presence and Julia Borg Xerri’s mid-range accuracy fuelled a 10-0 spell that flipped the momentum.
Hibernians replied through Saliba’s free throws and Diaby’s layup, but Depiro’s transition play, led by Sonnier and Andrea Tollar Lopez, pushed the margin into double figures.
Charles Bonnici’s Hibs fought back bravely in the closing rubber, with MacLeod and De Martino trimming the deficit and Saliba striking from deep to keep hopes alive.
Sonnier, however, had other ideas, converting from both inside and out, while Abela’s composed finishing through traffic preserved Depiro’s advantage.
Despite late efforts from Lara Micallef and Bonett, Hibernians ran out of time against a disciplined Depiro side that showcased why both teams are expected to feature prominently in this season’s title race.
HIBERNIANS: L. Micallef 2, I. Agius, S. Lecuyer 2, A. Saliba 22, M. Bonett 6, S. De Martino 9, H. Macleod 11, J. Diaby 8.
BETSSON DEPIRO: S. Abela 23, N. Agius 5, J. Borg Xerri 7, C. Privitera 2, A. Tollar Lopez 3, C. Fenech, N. Borg 2, L. Sonnier 22, S. Deguara 2, J. Borg Cardona 3.
Referees: A. Attard, J. Siefert.
