(13-11, 17-21, 16-18, 13-18)
After three league wins in a row Luxol had to bow their heads to Athleta, who seem to have rode over their bleak period. Gristina Grima didn't start for the champions, and Ina Baena medina seems to be work stressed, and was only a mere spectator on the bench. Athleta's victory brought them bang into the reckoning, once more, for a play-off place, whilst it also scuppered Luxol's chance of going to the top of the league table.
Athleta began with a four-point lead, but Luxol soon drew level. Athleta were again ahead, but Cristina Sollami came off the bench, for Luxol, and her hoops had the champions in front, with a session ending 9-2 run. In the next period it was Athleta forging in front once more, as Antoinette Borg sank a triple, in an early 9-2 run. Kay Portelli netted a Luxol trey, as her side tied the score twice. Athleta managed another 8-3 run, with more Simmons points. Luxol were close, but still behind, at the interval, with Athleta leading 32-30.
After the break Luxol bounced back in front, even if Borg netted her second triple, for Athleta. A couple of Christina Curmi hoops had the champions on a better advantage, but Athleta were resilient, and made up a good 11-2 run, ending with a Julia Schembri triple. Luxol tried to cut away their deficit, but a brace of Leanne Duncan free shots had Athleta leading 50-46. In the last period Luxol were still breathing down Athleta's neck, but later on Athleta put in a 7-2 run, giving them more space. Luxol free throws had them back, a hoop behind, but a third Borg trey deflated the champions, and when they tried to stop the clock, the resulting free shots gave Athleta a better advantage.
Luxol: S. Pace 7, Ni. Vella, No. Vella, C. Grima 14, K. Portelli 7, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Brown 12, C. Sollami 8, M. Darmanin 3, C. Curmi 8
Athleta: B. Zammit 2, N. Hili, L. Duncan 17, A. Simmons 21, D. Said Hollier 4, A. Borg 12, J. Schembri 5, S. Vella 7, E. Pace, C. Mifsud
Referees: N. Azzopardi, J. Mangani, Z. Dobrosavljevic
Hibs in another victory over Starlites
Hibernians 61 Starlites GIG 55
(16-9, 15-19, 9-9, 21-18)
The Paolites seem to just love to play against Starlites. This was their fifth straight victory over their opponents, and they are also making it a habit of beating them with a six-point margin, as in their last three matches. Hibs' win has taken them to just a point behind Starlites, but with a game less, which can take them to the top position of the standings. Hibs' Silvia Gambino stayed on the bench for the whole encounter. Starlites had Lindsey Pirotta back in the side.
Starlites started off with a couple of treys, by Patricia Arguello and Jean doughty. The Paolites reacted with a 9-0 run, and an Elena Cassar triple. Starlites went nearer, with their next points, but Hibs opened up their advantage till the end of the session. In the second period it was Starlites beginning well, and a steady 14-3 run, ending with Arguello and Kirsty Galea treys, pushed them in front. Sam Brincat points had both teams level. Starlites regained their lead, only for the Paoltes to finish the session with a 7-1 run, to go in at the interval on a 31-28 advantage.
After the break Hibs' lead increased, as Cassar netted a second triple. Starlites reduced their deficit, and a late Arguello trey brought them nearer, with a 40-37 score, in favour of Hibs. The Last quarter had Brincat netting another Hibs triple. A 7-0 Starlites run, with a fourth Arguello triple, overturned the score. The Paolites regained their advantage, as Naomi Farrugia and Brincat nailed two more treys. Starlites stubbornly went again ahead, but the latter stages of the match went Hibs' way, as they made up a late 9-2 run, with another Farrugia triple, to repeat the same basket difference, as in their last two Louis Borg Cup final matches.
Hibs: E. Micallef 3, E. Cassar 9, S. Brincat 21, I. Agius 2, J. Abela, S. Abela 10, K. Caruana 1, N. Farrugia 9, R. Kehoe 4, M. Said, J. Scerri 2
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 6, K. Galea 5, J. Doughty 5, S. Farrugia 8, H. Acreman 4, D. Revol, M. Riolo, L. POirotta 3, P. Arguello 24, M. Cutajar, S. Davis, A. Lupo
Referees: G. Barbara, I. Simic, M. Rajczi