Hibs won their third straight group game, to finish in top place, having already been assured of a spot in the semis, and also carried St. James through with them. Kerygma had a good second session, but the Paolites could alternate players, and still hold their scoring touch, to secure another comfortable win, in their first defence of all the honours won last season.
The champions were under the guidance of Winnie Buhagiar, in the absence of coach Mario Tabone. There were some bench players on court at the start, for Hibs. An opening 8-0 run, with hoops by Caroline Fenech and Maria Desira, opened the Paolites?account, before Kerygma could stop the sequence. Hibs could then increase their lead till the end of the quarter, with Kerygma unable to make any impact.
It the second session there was a different setting. The champions changed their side, and before they could settle down, Josette Calleja’s free shots started Kerygma off. There was a Hibs reaction, but Calleja sank a trey, and began a long 12-2 run, as Kerygma came close. The Paolites recovered enough to hold a 27-20 advantage till the interval.
After the break Hibs were all over their opponents, with Kerygma unable to make any telling reply. It was Doreen Parnis who led the champions?charge, with some accurate shooting. Kerygma’s rearguard was breached time and time again, as the Paolites made significant 8-0 and a better 15-0 burst, to command a good 48-24 lead, after three sessions.
The last quarter didn’t differ much at first. Hibs were still in command, and Francesca Tabone sank a couple of treys, in an opening 12-2 run. Kerygma then shared the scoring for a while, but Marylou Cutajar was on the mark for Hibs. Kerygma could only stop the champions from increasing their lead, which was comfortable enough at the end, with four players on double figure scores.
Hibs: 14 Caroline Fenech, 11 Doreen Parnis, 10 Alexis Darmanin, 10 Marylou Cutajar
Kerygma: 16 Josette Calleja
Referees: Gordon Barbara, Clive Terribile
Depiro didn’t find any large obstacles in their victory over Sliema. They topped the group and now meet St. James Hospital in the semis. The defeat left Sliema behind Luxol, and the Violets will encounter holders, Hibs Medsea, in the other semi final. Depiro were streets ahead, and their pressing rarely gave the Sliema youngsters any space.
Lonike Calleja still had a last match suspension, and Francesca Farrugia, who was available, was ill. For Depiro, Abigail Sciberras was only a spectator.
Sliema opened the scoring, with a Leanne Sciberras hoop, but Depiro took over, and a 10-2 run, with a Greta Zarb trey, put them in charge. Joselle Cardona and Zarb continued Depiro’s scoring, and a further 7-0 run put the Mtarfa side on a good first session lead.
Depiro were more dominant in the second period. A 13-0 run pushed Sliema far back. The latter recovered to post some points, but a 9-4 run, with a Charlotte Riolo trey extended Depiro’s advantage. Sciberras and Dana McKeon pulled Sliema back a little, but Depiro held a strong 43-17 lead at the interval.
The break didn’t provide any change for Sliema, as Depiro began with a further 12-1 run, and treys by Rachel Camilleri and a second Riolo one. Sliema found some consolation midway through the quarter, but Depiro had the matter in hand once again, and more points resulted in a 59-22 score, after three sessions.
There was more agony for Sliema in the final period. A 12-0 run, ending with a Sarah Pace trey, saw Sliema struggling. They came up with some free shots, but Zarb made a second trey, as Depiro ended on a top note, and a big win.
Sliema: 10 Leanne Sciberras
Depiro: 19 Joselle Cardona, 16 Rachel Camilleri, 16 Greta Zarb, 10 Charlotte Riolo
Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Emanuel Mangani
MBA Shield 2 Div. Men
Suns gained their first seasonal victory, after two defeats, and with Mosta ending their Shield group games, Suns are close to a place in the semis. It was a low-scoring match, with the two teams always close to each other, with no team able to take a commanding lead.
Suns were without Michael Amaira, but had new signing, Jeffrey Sciberras, and Michel Curmi was playing his first seasonal match. Mosta also had a new player, Nicky Calamatta.
In a balanced start to the match, Steve Gouder obtained all of Mosta’s first points, as they led 7-5, and a Trevor Grech trey for the Suns. The latter then posted a 7-0 run, with a Michel Curmi trey. Mosta reacted, with Joe Vassallo points, but they were still a hoop down after the opening session.
Mosta did go in front in the second quarter, for an 18-16 lead, with Kevin Bonnici points. Suns settled down again, and they did enough to take the lead once more, and keep it till the end of the session, despite late free shots from Mosta. Halfway through the match it was a close 23-22 score to Suns.
After the break points were still not so plentiful, as in the previous quarter. Suns managed to add on to their advanatge, after a long Duncan Cilia trey. Mosta recovered till the end of the session, to tie the score, but Curmi’s late hoop restored Suns’ lead, with a 33-31 score.
The final session was bone dry at first. After half a session of play there was only a Joe Vassallo hoop for Mosta. Suns then could find the way to the basket in the latter part of the quarter, and it was a 7-0 run, with Clayton Agius points, including a trey. Mosta tried a final effort, getting close to saving the game, but Michel Curmi’s free throws carried Suns through to their first win.
Suns: 10 Sam Farrugia, 9 Michel Curmi
Mosta: 4 Steve Gouder, 13 Joe Vassallo
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro