McDonalds Depiro 38

Hibs Medsea 43

(8-9)(2-9)(5-14)(23-11)

Hibs will be meeting the Paolites in the final, when Hibs edged through in a match, in which they seemed to have the control of, with a hefty twenty point advantage, in the last period.

Depiro’s comeback nearly came off, but Hibs just held out, to keep their record of being in every Play Off final since they started.

Depiro still had Maria Bonett sidelined. The champions were without Mandy Zammit and Francesca Tabone once more.

It was Hibs with the first blood, bit Depiro then made the forcing, as Antoinette Borg was accurate in her shooting, in an 8-2 run, which overturned the score.

Hibs recovered until the end of the session, when they shut out their adversaries, and it was Doreen Micallef, with her points, as her side eked out a slim, single point lead. The Paolites kept on in the second period, beginning with a Kirsten Baldacchino triple.

It was Borg again who stopped her opponents, with a brace of free throws, but that was the whole contribution by Depiro for this session.

At the other end it was Joselle Cardona, with a couple of hoops, to enhance the champions’ advantage. The score remained a low one between the two teams, when Hibs were enjoying an 18-10 lead at the interval.

After the break both sides replied to each other’s points, until Sarah Pace netted a triple for Depiro. Again, Depiro’s tally stopped there, and for the rest of the session the Paolites made up a 10-0 run, which ended with a Micallef triple, as her side amassed a solid 32-15 lead.

In the last quarter the champions’ advantage increased further, but then Depiro suddenly found their form. Borg made her points in a 7-0 run, before Hibs had Elena Cassar with a triple. depiro surged forward yet again, and triples by Borg and Francesca Bianco began a heavy 16-2 run, which had Depiro just a basket away.

They stayed only so near, as it was the Paolites with the last free throws of the encounter, to make yet another final, and defend their five year reign.

Depiro: 3 S. Pace, G. Zarb, J. Xuereb, A. Mifsud, 9 F. Bianco, J. Busuttil Gaerty, 23 A. Borg, C. Sammut, E. Vella, 3 S. Micallef

Hibs: E. Micallef, 3 E. Cassar, 3 L. Bezzina, 5 M. Desira, 10 D. Micallef, 4 A. Darmanin, N. Arrigo, 6 K. Baldacchino, 12 J. Cardona

Referees: B. Vassallo, L. Camilleri

At the end of play, Luxol finished with 34 points, followed by Hibs Medsea on 29 and McDonalds Depiro on 27.

The first two teams will meet in the Play Off final, the best of three matches.