Hibernians 62 Caffe Moak Luxol 41
(16-10, 22-4, 13-7, 11-20)
The champions obtained their expected victory, to assure themselves of a semi-final place, irrespective of the next encounter. They swept the Violets aside, in the second quarter, to open up a winning advantage. They made doubly sure after the interval, with Luxol making up a more respectable score, till the end. The Paolites had Kaya Calleja and Elena Pace, in place of Naomi Farrugia and Hannah Al Tumi. Luxol were without Beverlee Zammit.
Hibs began with a brace of hoops, with Luxol going 9-6 ahead, as Antoinette Borg and Monique Caruana sank triples. Till the end of the period the Paolites went in front, with a 10-1 run, and Sam Brincat and American, Amelia Simmons, treys. In the second session it was disaster for the Violets, as they were overrun but their opponents. Hibs just ran away ahead, as Simmons and Sophie Abela led the charge. Brincat grabbed a second triple, with Luxol limited to a couple of hoops, for a 38-14 halftime score.
After the break Luxol had Sarah pace with a trey, but the champions went on increasing their advantage, sending Simmons on the bench, and their bench players going on court. With a session to go the Paolites were 51-21 ahead. Luxol found more space, and they could improve considerably on their score. Pace and Caruana made their triples. Elena Pace replied for hibs. with her trey, but the Violets had time for more triples, from Caruana and a Pace brace. Hibs' second group victory handed them their last four placing.
Hibs: E. Micallef 3, E. Cassar 6, K. Caruana, S. Brincat 8, I. Agius 2, J. Abela, S. Abela 13, A. Simmons 21, K. Calleja, E. Pace 3, M. Said 2, L. Duncan 4
Luxol: S. Pace 17, M. Caruana 9, Ni. Vella 2, I. Baena 2, N. Vella , K. Portelli, A. Borg 7, L. Caruana Montaldo, S. Vella 1, C. Mifsud 3
Referees: T. Mantere, M. Hraisha, A. Ampadogiannis
Starlites GIG 68 Depiro 59
(20-7, 11-20, 13-24, 24-8)
Depiro had to win, to progress in the standings. They started badly, recovered admirably, went in front, but faded away at the end, allowing Starlites to sneak past, and claim victory. All this made the game an enthralling one, with Starlites holding on to their unbeaten run, from the start of the season. Starlites were once again missing Michela Riolo. Depiro had Andrea Mifsud and Maria Bonett back, after missing their last game, due to a wedding.
Depiro began with a Nicole Agius trey. Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, points had Starlites just behind. Claire Ciantar's hoop was the last Depiro contribution to the opening period, as Bonett poured in her dozen points, against her ex-side, in a session ending 16-0 Starlites run. In teh second session it was Steffi DeMartino, at the other end, to bring Depiro back, with her seven points, in a 9-0 run, which was stopped by a Kirsty Galea triple. Depiro were creeping closer yet, with their 9-2 run, but they still had Starlites in front of them, at the interval, on a 31-27 score.
After the break Depiro drew closer, saw Starlites edging more ahead, with a couple of Michela Zammit Cordina hoops, then shoot in front, after a 9-1 run, when DeMartino sank her triple. Starlites went level, fell behind once more, with American, Ashley Gray, points, and a trey. Galea pulled points back, but Depiro's free shots, by Claire Ciantar, gave her side a 51-44 advantage. Starlites went closer, were pegged back again, but then the tide turned in Starlites' favour. Depiro were hit by a 13-0 run, as Galea made a triple, and Joey Grima put in her hoops. Depiro could only reply with a solitary hoop, and Starlites closed down the encounter with more points, to remain at the top of the group.
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 8, K. Galea 11, S. Farrugia, M. Bonett 14, A. Micallef, C. Curmi , J. Grima 14, P. Arguello 17, M. Cutajar, S. Davies 3, A. Lupo
Depiro: N. Agius 5, A. Mifsud, L. Camilleri, C. Camilleri, N. Agius, S. De Martino 18, D. Said Hollier 6, M. Scicluna 3, A. Gray 14, E. Cassar, C. Ciantar 13, N. Hili
Referees: K. Dworniczak, D. Torok, I. Simic