Caffe Moak Luxol and Starlites Revive are set to contest this season’s Women’s John Tabone Shield final after beating Betsson Depiro and Hibernians respectively in two intense semi-final fixtures on Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.
BETSSON DEPIRO 74
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 78
(16-16, 16-17, 21-21, 21-24)
In a clash worthy of a final, Luxol edged past Depiro for a four-point victory.
Lovely Sonnier led Depiro with a commanding all-round display, tallying 24 points and 18 rebounds while contributing six steals and four assists. Julia Borg Xerri followed with 14 points and eight rebounds, combining perimeter accuracy with inside defence, while Julia Borg added 17 and Neve Borg 8.
For Luxol, Olivia Wikstrom was exceptional, scoring 31 points from drives, jumpers, and a series of late free throws. Sarah Fenech Pace offered strong support with 14 points.
The Violets opened sharply, surging to a 12-2 lead behind early conversions from Wikstrom, Fenech Pace, and Sarah Sciberras. Depiro struggled to settle until Neve Borg’s second-chance layup sparked a response, followed by Borg Xerri’s three-pointer to narrow the gap.
Late baskets from Andrea Tollar Lopez and Samira Deguara steadied Depiro’s rhythm before Borg’s tip-in levelled the contest at 16-16 to close the first quarter.
Luxol regained momentum early in the second quarter through transition scoring, as Wikstrom and Fenech Pace capitalised on turnovers.
Yet Sonnier began imposing herself under the boards, scoring successive put-backs to pull the Mtarfa side within reach. The American forward’s energy inspired an 11-4 burst that briefly nudged Depiro ahead at 28-27.
However, late inside finishes from Sarah Fenech Pace and Rebecca Fenech Pace restored Luxol’s edge, leaving them narrowly ahead 33-32 at half-time.
The third quarter unfolded as a tightly contested exchange. Borg Xerri and Borg combined for a sequence of jumpers to hand Julian Naudi’s Depiro a five-point lead, only for Roderick Vella’s Luxol to reply through Wikstrom’s drives and a long-range effort from Rebecca Fenech Pace.
Both teams traded baskets until Wikstrom and Said pushed the Violets ahead again. Sonnier’s transition finishes and Borg Xerri’s fast-break layup trimmed the deficit to a single point, 54-53, entering the final frame.
Depiro briefly seized control through early baskets from Nicole Agius and Borg Xerri, but Luxol’s outside shooting soon shifted the tide. Wikstrom buried a pair of three-pointers, Said and Gwen Carabott adding another as Luxol’s spacing opened the floor.
Despite Sonnier’s continued aggression inside, Carabott’s timely triple and steady free-throw shooting allowed Luxol to maintain composure. Depiro fought to the end, closing to within two points in the final minute, yet Wikstrom’s calm from the line sealed the victory, sending her team into the final.
BETSSON DEPIRO S. Abela 2, N. Agius 4, J. Borg Xerri 14, J. Mallia, A. Tollar Lopez 2, J. Borg 17, N. Borg 8, L. Sonnier 24, S. Deguara 3.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL G. Carabott 5, E. Axisa, R. Fenech Pace 7, J. Said 9, E. Abela 4, S. Fenech Pace 14, O. Wikstrom 31, V. Baldacchino 4, S. Sciberras 4.
Referees M. De Flavia, J. Siefert.
STARLITES REVIVE 53
HIBERNIANS 52
(15-8, 16-14, 8-17, 14-13)
In another thrilling semifinal, Starlites edged past Hibernians after a tense encounter that went down to the final seconds.
Starlites, led by Brandon Cassar on the day, relied on a composed finish from Georgia Haverlock, whose late tip-in sealed victory in a game that saw both sides exchange momentum throughout.
Import player Haverlock was superb, leading the Naxxar side with 23 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Mikela Riolo contributed 14 points, including four three-pointers. Rebecca Naudi’s clutch free throws and two triples provided vital support, as did Philippa Riolo’s seven points and seven rebounds.
For Hibernians, Hailey MacLeod led the charge with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Josephine Diaby’s 13-point, 10-rebound double-double anchored their inside game. Steffi De Martino and Lara Micallef added consistent scoring as Charlie Bonnici’s clan battled back from a double-digit deficit to force a dramatic finish.
The Paolites opened brightly through early drives from Maria Bonett and MacLeod, but Starlites responded with Haverlock’s sharp cuts to the basket and a pair of three-pointers from Mikela and Philippa Riolo. The Riolo duo combined to push Starlites ahead 15–8 by the end of the first quarter, establishing a rhythm that unsettled Hibs’ defence.
The second rubber saw Starlites extend their advantage behind Mikela Riolo’s hot shooting, connecting on two more from beyond the arc as Naudi also found range from deep.
Diaby worked tirelessly to keep Hibs in touch with inside finishes, yet Starlites maintained control to enter halftime leading 31-22 after another composed spell from Haverlock at the line.
Momentum began to shift in the third quarter. Starlites briefly stretched their lead to 11, but Diaby and De Martino ignited a Hibernians comeback, converting free throws and capitalising on turnovers.
A flurry of baskets from MacLeod drew the Paolites level at 39-39 heading into the final frame, setting up a tense conclusion.
Hibs momentarily took control through MacLeod’s three-pointer and De Martino, Sasha Lecuyer, and Micallef’s inside scoring, but Haverlock answered with timely long-range shots to keep Starlites close.
With the score tied at 51-51 in the dying moments, Lecuyer’s free throws nudged Hibs ahead, only for Haverlock to crash the boards and tip in the decisive basket with seven seconds remaining.
The Starlites’ bench erupted as leaders from the opening round advanced to another final, surviving one of the most dramatic semi-finals.
STARLITES REVIVE Y. Ferrando, M. Riolo 14, C. Cilia, P. Riolo 7, M. Fenech 1, R. Naudi 8, G. Haverlock 23.
HIBERNIANS L. Micallef 5, S. Lecuyer 3, A. Saliba, M. Bonett 4, S. De Martino 11, H. Macleod 16, J. Diaby 13.
Referees W. Lim, G. Barbara.
