Depiro leave Luxol in bottom place
Hibernians 60 Depiro 71
(14-15, 16-15, 16-22, 14-19)
Just days ago, Depiro eliminated Hibs, in a K.O. semi-final match. They repeated the dose, in their league encounter, to leave the standings in a tight situation. The Paolites could have opened a two-game gap with the other teams but failed to do so. They were still without Sam Brincat, still injured. Sophie Abela and Maria said were on the bench but were not utilised. Depiro had a new mentor, Reuben Baldacchino, to lead them on for the remainder of the season, as he started off with a victory. Claudia Camilleri was also not put on court, and Martina Scicluna made her first points this season, with a triple.
Depiro answered Hibs' opening hoop, but the Paolites then registered a 12-2 run, as Emma Micallef sank two quick treys. Then it was all Depiro, till the end of the period, with a 9-0 run, and Maria Bonett hoops, along with a Steffi DeMartino triple. In the second session the tables turned, and it was the Paolites making up a heavy 13-2 run, as Elena Cassar netted a trey. Once more it was Depiro with the better ending to the period, with a 13-3 run, Scicluna sank her season's opening points, with her triple. Jasmine Abela came off the bench, for Hibs, and sank a triple. At the interval it was all square, on a 30-30 score.
After the break Depiro forged in front, as DeMartino netted a second trey. Hibs had Micallaef and Silvia Gambino, with triples, but DeMartino was still in good shooting form, with another trey. Rachel kehoe hoops had the Paolites just a point behind, but Depiro ended the session on a 7-2 run, with another DeMartino triple, as her side led 52-46. In the last quarter Depiro's treys rolled in, as Nicole Agius sank two, with Bonett's in between, and Depiro were well away, ahead. Micallef netted her fourth Hibs trey, but DeMartino was not finished yet, as she put in her fifth triple, for Depiro. Hibs' last efforts brought a game ending 9-2 run, with another Gambino trey, but Depiro were unassailable, with little time remaining.
Hibs: E. Micallef 13, E. Cassar 9, S. Gambino 10, K. Calleja, I. Agius 2, J. Abela 3, S. Abela, K. Caruana 3, N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 16, M. Said, J. Scerri 4
Depiro: M. Scicluna 3, T. Mifsud , L. Vella, C. Camilleri , M. Bonett 15, S. DeMartino 29, N. Agius 6, No. Agius, A. Lloyd 10, J. Xuereb 2, C. Ciantar 6
Referees: B. Vassallo, N. Azzopardi, K. Dworniczak
Athleta overtake Starlites and Depiro
Starlites GIG 60 Gzira Athleta 69
(21-15, 9-11, 14-18, 16-25)
Athleta are back in contention, after avenging their first-round defeat. They are now on a par with both Starlites and Depiro, with basket average, in direct encounters, giving them the edge. Starlites have now lost three matches in a row, losing their top status, and being overtaken by two other teams. They introduced another Spaniard, the young Iranza Drake Ruiz-Villar, who had a taste of the match.
Starlites' Kirsty Galea began with a trey, and then Athleta cut down on their deficit, as Amelia Simmons made her points, and Leanne Duncan netted a triple. A Starlites 7-0 run, with a Patricia Arguello trey, opened up their advantage, with Denise Said Hollier netting two late free throws, for Athleta. In the second period more Galea points had Starlites on a better lead, but Athleta crept nearer once again, led by Simmons. Starlites were yet in front, and at the interval they were 30-26 ahead.
After the break Athleta let loose with their triples. Beverlee Zammit mailed two, and in between there were Julia Schembri and antoinette Borg with more. Their side was now in front, although Starlites' next points regained their advantage. Borg tied the game, for Athleta, with the score at 44-44. In the last session Simmons put Athleta in front, and although Starlites made their hoops, it was Athleta with more triples, as Borg sank three in succession. Athleta's lead was enhanced, but Galea and jean doughty netted Starlites triples, to draw nearer again. Athleta held them off with their free throws, as their opponents tried to stop the clock, and this last game of the second round left the league table a complicated one.
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina, K. Galea 18, J. Doughty 6, S. Farrugia, H. Acreman 3, I. Drake Ruiz Villa 2, M. Riolo 2, L. Pirotta, P. Arguello 19, P. Cutajar 2, S. Davis 8, A. Lupo
Athleta: B. Zammit 8, S. Pisani, L. Duncan 7, A. Simmons 30, D. Said Hollier 2, A. Borg 14, J. Schembri 7, S. Vella 1, E. Pace, C. Mifsud
Referees: T. Mantere, N. Azzopardi, I. Simic