Hibernians stay top after maintaining unbeaten streak
Betsson Depiro kept up their chase for top spot last weekend after beating Starlites Revive at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.
But any overtaking will have to wait as Hibernians continued their unbeaten streak with a stunning victory over Caffe Moak Luxol. Meanwhile, Valletta Dream bagged their first victory after triumphing against Athleta.
BETSSON DEPIRO 62
STARLITES REVIVE 55
(22-17, 8-20, 14-7, 18-11)
Depiro held off a spirited Starlites fightback to claim a victory on Sunday, leaning on defensive pressure and second-chance scoring to compensate for a difficult morning from the perimeter.
The Mtarfa side set the tone early by attacking through fast breaks, with Sophie Abela converting twice on the counter before Julia Borg added a three-point play to push the lead to 5-0.
Starlites responded through Philippa Riolo’s triple, Georgia Haverlock’s strong drives, and Catherine Cilia’s jumpshots, but Depiro continued to force turnovers and capitalise inside.
Lovely Sonnier made an immediate impact with a tip-in off a loose ball, while Abela’s third basket stretched the advantage as Depiro eventually closed the opening quarter 22-17 ahead.
Starlites gained momentum in the second period, turning defence into offence as Mariah Fenech opened with a jumper before Haverlock, Riolo and Rebecca Naudi led a scoring run that led to Christina Curmi’s side to go up by 10.
Sonnier kept Depiro within touch with finishes in the paint, but Starlites’ fast-break efficiency allowed them to take a 37-30 lead into the interval.
Depiro made amends after the change of ends.
Sonnier asserted herself immediately, scoring repeatedly inside, while Abela’s finishing helped haul Depiro back into contention.
Borg’s step-back jump shot briefly edged Depiro ahead, but Cilia and Naudi responded from the line and and a layup gave back the lead to Starlites.
The third quarter, however, ended locked at 44-44 after a final Neve Borg drive.
The final period showed Depiro’s defensive intensity.
Sonnier opened with back-to-back baskets, including another second-chance finish, as Depiro strung together a decisive run. Abela, Borg and Nicole Agius added scores, pushing the lead to eight.
Starlites rallied through Riolo and Naudi, but Depiro continued to generate extra possessions, with Sonnier’s late basket inside sealing the outcome with a seven-point win.
BETSSON DEPIRO S. Abela 14, N. Agius 4, J. Borg Xerri 2, J. Mallia, C. Privitera 4, C. Fenech, J. Borg 8, N. Borg 6, L. Sonnier 24.
STARLITES REVIVE M. Riolo 4, C. Cilia 6, P. Riolo 12, M. Fenech 2, R. Naudi 18, G. Haverlock 13.
Referees M. De Flavia, J. Siefert.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 59
HIBERNIANS 91
(6-25, 16-27, 26-16, 11-23)
Hibernians delivered a dominant victory over Luxol in the late Saturday game, pulling clear early and never looking back.
The Paolites set the tone immediately through Steffi De Martino, who finished the game as the team’s top scorer with 29 points.
De Martino struck from beyond the arc before following up with scores off turnovers to stretch the early advantage.
Luxol responded through Sarah Sciberras and Olivia Wikstrom, who led the game with 35 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double, but Hibernians continued to exploit Luxol’s defensive gaps.
Hailey Macleod, who put up 13 points, and 14 point, 14-rebound finisher Andie Saliba punished second chances, while De Martino’s scoring burst ensured Hibs raced into a double-digit lead, closing the opening quarter firmly in control and letting in just six points throughout.
The Violets grew into the game in the second rubber as Wikstrom began to take charge with shots from all areas to keep the margin respectable.
However, Hibs looked to kill the game off.
De Martino continued to score efficiently from range and on the break, while Macleod and Sasha Lecuyer converted easy looks.
Saliba’s late three-pointer capped a strong half, with Charles Bonnici’s clan heading into the break comfortably ahead at 52–22.
The third quarter became a showcase of Wikstrom’s scoring ability as she carried Luxol’s offence almost single-handedly, mixing finishes inside with perimeter shooting and trips to the line.
Yet every Luxol score was met by a response. Josephine Diaby hit a three-point play to stop Wikstom’s first run of the half, highlighting why the veteran last weekend claimed the BOV November Player of the Month award after leading the league in field goal percentage.
Despite numerous free throws on both sides, it was Hibs who moved further clear by the end of the quarter.
Any lingering doubt was removed early in the final rubber. Lecuyer and Diaby extended the lead, De Martino struck again from deep, and Macleod capitalised on further turnovers. Luxol continued to compete through Wikstrom and late contributions from Jada Said, but Hibs’ control carried them to an emphatic victory.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL G. Carabott 2, L. Fenech Pace 10, H. Galea 3, R. Fenech Pace, J. Said 6, E. Abela 1, O. Wikstrom 35, S. Sciberras 2.
HIBERNIANS M. Buhagiar, L. Micallef 6, I. Agius, S. Lecuyer 12, A. Saliba 14, M. Bonett 2, S. De Martino 29, M. Marmara 2, H. Macleod 13, J. Diaby 11, K. Sammut 2.
Referees F. Ciurariu, L. Silvero.
ATHLETA 62
VALLETTA DREAM 65
(11-22, 27-8, 14-24, 10-11)
Valletta edged past Athleta in a tightly contested encounter that gave the Capital club their first victory of the campaign.
Despite the defeat, Athleta established their presence early, responding quickly to Valletta’s opening free throw as Laura Camilleri converted off a turnover.
The tempo was set almost immediately, with both sides attacking inside, but Olesia Malashenko began to impose herself through second-chance finishes and strong play on the boards that eventually led her to finish the game with a 27-point, 23-rebound double-double.
Sharon Vella kept Athleta competitive with a combination of fastbreak scores and freethrows.
However, baskets from Malashenko and Marie Elise Pollaco allowed the Citizens to stretch the gap, and despite Athleta’s efforts to stop this offensive surge, Harry Savaya’s Valletta closed the opening quarter with a 22-11 lead.
The Gzira side regrouped in the second rubber to put on their best quarter of the game. Kirsty Caruana and Julia Schembri found their rhythm from deep to swing momentum and lift Athleta into the lead.
Nicole Vella added to the margin with a pair of jump shots as Valletta’s Aleksandra Nikishina attempted to keep them away.
Nonetheless, a Camilleri jumper ensured Adrian Baldacchino’s Athleta went into the interval leading 38-30.
The third quarter became increasingly physical and finely balanced.
Valletta’s Nicole Montalvo struck first, while Sharon Vella replied at the other end. Pollacco drove up after a Kristy Caruana three-ball, handing the baton to Malashenko, who pushed to give Valletta back the lead, closing the quarter with a three-pointer as the Citizens led by two ahead of the final quarter.
The final stretch was as balanced as could be. Malashenko opened Valletta’s account with a fastbreak layup, while Sharon Vella and Micallef repeatedly answered to keep Athleta level.
As pressure mounted, Malashenko’s work on second chances proved crucial, and Nikishina’s late fastbreak score created separation before a calm free throw in the final second secured Valletta’s three-point victory.
ATHLETA J. Schembri 6, N. Vella 8, K. Calleja 2, A. Micallef 10, K. Caruana 14, J. Micallef, S. Vella 18, L. Camilleri 4.
VALLETTA DREAM M. Pollaco 12, O. Malashenko 27, M. Momcilovic 2, A. Caballero 10, M. Mifsud, A. Nikishina 6, N. Montalvo 8.
Referees M. De Flavia, W. Lim.
STANDINGS
Hibernians 10; Betsson Depiro 9; Caffe Moak Luxol 8; Starlites Revive 7; Valletta Dream 6; Athleta 5.
