Women’s basketball returned to the Ta’ Qali Pavilion on Sunday for the final round of group stage fixtures in the John Tabone Shield.
Betsson Depiro powered past Valletta Dream to continue their unbeaten streak this new season, this time with a firm drubbing of the Citizens, who are winless so far.
However, it was Starlites Revive who took top seed heading into the knockout stage after edging past Caffe Moak Luxol in their final game of the round.
BETSSON DEPIRO 97
VALLETTA DREAM 43
(29-12, 19-11, 25-8, 24-12)
Depiro closed out their Shield group stage with an emphatic victory over the Capital club, asserting control from the opening tip and never looking back.
Led by Lovely Sonnier’s 22 points and supported by consistent scoring across the rotation, including an impressive 14-point outing off the bench for Samira Deguara, Depiro’s high-tempo offence and defensive discipline left Valletta struggling to keep pace.
For the Citizens, Olesia Malashenko was the clear standout, putting up 28 points through a tireless solo effort, but the team could not find rhythm against Depiro’s fast breaks and half-court execution.
The Mtarfa side’s intent was evident from the start as Sonnier scored twice in transition within the first minute in between a Neve Borg jumpshot, setting off a blistering 16-0 run that effectively decided the game before Valletta registered their first points with a Hayley Grixti three-pointer.
Borg added mid-range accuracy, while Julia Borg Xerri and Julia Borg combined for several breakaway finishes.
Malashenko’s free throws and a late three-pointer prevented a complete shutout in the opening stretch, but Depiro’s lead shot to double digits before the end of the first rubber.
The momentum carried into the second quarter, with Deguara’s perimeter shooting and Andrea Tollar Lopez’s composure extending the margin.
Depiro’s defence forced repeated turnovers, many of which were converted directly into layups for Sophie Abela and Deguara. Valletta relied heavily on Malashenko’s inside presence, the Ukrainian forward scoring from put-backs and drawing fouls, yet her efforts could not offset Depiro’s pace.
A late three-pointer from Marija Momcilovic gave coach Harry Savaya’s Valletta brief respite, though the gap remained wide at half-time.
The Julian Naudi-led Depiro maintained full control after the interval, opening with a flurry of baskets from Borg Xerri and Sonnier, whose energy at both ends was a characteristic of the team’s approach. Celine Fenech added efficient finishing around the rim, while reserve Hannah Farag also contributed on the break.
Valletta continued to battle through Malashenko’s mid-range accuracy, but Depiro’s ball movement and transition efficiency kept the outcome beyond doubt.
In the final bout, Deguara and Jasmine Mallia sustained Depiro’s tempo as coach Naudi rotated freely.
Nicole Agius and Ylenia Mangion chipped in late points, ensuring all players had an impact on the scoreboard. Despite Malashenko’s continued fight, adding points from close range until the final seconds, Depiro sealed a commanding close to the group stage as they advance to the next round.
BETSSON DEPIRO S. Abela 4, Y. Mangion 5, N. Agius 6, J. Borg Xerri 9, J. Mallia 7, A. Tollar Lopez 7, C. Fenech 6, J. Borg 9, N. Borg 6, L. Sonnier 22, S. Deguara 14, H. Farag 2.
VALLETTA DREAM O. Malashenko 28, M. Momcilovic 5, A. Caballero, H. Grixti 5, M. Mifsud, N. Montalvo 2, S. Kankaras 3.
Referees N. Rincon, J. Siefert.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 57
STARLITES REVIVE 63
(10-23, 14-14, 18-16, 15-10)
Starlites secured first place in the Shield’s group stage after a hard-fought victory over Luxol in a matchup that saw both teams’ import players finish with a 20+ point game.
Starlites’ explosive first half provided an ideal start for Christina Curmi’s first outing in charge of the team, fuelled by Georgia Haverlock who led the side’s scoring with 20 points, Rebecca Naudi following with 19. Mikela Riolo rounded the double-digit scorers for the Naxxar side with 11.
Yet Roderick Vella’s Luxol, inspired by Olivia Wikstrom’s 27 points, 12 rebounds double-double, came close to overturning a 21-point deficit before Starlites regrouped in the final moments to hold on.
Luxol opened strongly, with Sarah Sciberras hitting from deep, but and Riolo connected from three-point range at the other end to cancel the opening bucket.
Wikstrom hit Luxol’s second three-ball before Naudi took control, orchestrating a 15-0 surge that stunned Luxol.
Riolo and Haverlock added further points as the lead stretched into double digits, while Luxol struggled with turnovers under intense defensive pressure.
Wikstrom’s early baskets kept her side afloat, but by the end of the first quarter, the Naxxar side were firmly in command.
Starlites maintained their rhythm in the second rubber through balanced scoring from Riolo, Mariah Fenech, Naudi, and Haverlock, whose efficient mid-range shooting highlighted Starlites’ depth.
A pair of three-pointers from Naudi pushed the gap past twenty, underlining her composure.
The Violets’ persistence, however, began to show through Wikstrom’s energy on the boards and transition finishes, closing the half with momentum despite still trailing by a significant margin.
After the break, Wikstrom ignited Luxol’s comeback with five points.
Support came from Sarah Fenech Pace and Eve Axisa, whose baskets helped cut the deficit to single digits. Starlites, largely sticking with their starting five, began to tire out, and their early dominance faded as Luxol dictated the pace. Haverlock’s steady free-throw shooting and Naudi’s leadership, however, maintained a fragile cushion heading into the final stretch.
The Violets carried this initiative into the last 10 minutes, with Wikstrom continuing to push under the rim and converting second-chance opportunities to bring her team within three. The tension rose as Axisa and Sciberras chipped away further, but key turnovers in the final minutes proved costly for Luxol. Starlites capitalised through Haverlock’s decisive layups, reasserting control when it mattered most.
In the end, Starlites’ composure and early advantage were enough to withstand Luxol’s spirited fightback, sealing victory and first place in the group.
They now advance to face Hibernians in the semifinals, while Luxol will look to regroup ahead of their clash with Depiro.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL E. Axisa 9, R. Fenech Pace 2, J. Said 3, E. Abela, S. Fenech Pace 7, O. Wikstrom 27, V. Baldacchino 2, S. Sciberras 7.
STARLITES REVIVE Y. Ferrando, M. Riolo 11, P. Riolo 7, M. Fenech 6, R. Naudi 19, G. Haverlock 20, F. Vella.
Referees G. Barbara, W. Lim.
