Luxol     48

Alyssa Ashley Loyola     63

(10-18, 9-19, 21-12, 8-14)

Despite their defeat, Luxol were still assured of the top placing in the final standings. Loyola were more workmanlike faltering only a little after the interval when the champions drew nearer.

Loyola always seemed to have the measure of their adversaries and controlled the match with an amount of ease. Loyola had also already gone into the playoff semis assured of a third place. It was also Loyola’s third victory on the trot against the Violets.

Luxol had Clementina Medina injured and Kay Portelli unavailable. Loyola were without Martha Gatt.

Robin Murphy put in two early hoops for Luxol but in between Loyola made a three basket spread with two Adalia Bonanno baskets.

Another 8-2 run enhanced Loyola’s advantage further and the remainder of the session was shared between the two sides as Loyola held on to their lead.

In the second period after Loyola had gone into a double figure lead the champions staged a decent reaction. They made up an 8-0 run with triples from Beverlee Zammit and Greta Zarb.

Loyola’s advantage went down to a single hoop but from then on to the end of the session it was nearly all Loyola who built up a heavy 17-1 run mostly from Desarae Johnson and Christina Grima.

At the interval Loyola were 37-19 in front.

After the break the champions opened up with a flourish and a 9-0 run with a second Zammit trey and Murphy hoops. Loyola put in their reply with an 8-2 run and a trio of Johnson hoops.

The Violets rallied back and a 10-2 run had more triples by Zammit and twice from Pace but Loyola still held a 49-40 advantage at the start of the last quarter.

Loyola’s next points had a response from the Violets but Loyola persisted and turned on a 10-0 run with  Jean Doughty triple. This was enough for them even though Luxol ended the match with their final points leaving them still at a distance.

Luxol: 8 S. Pace, 11 M. Sciortino,  B. Naudi,  J. Busuttil Gaerty, 3 G. Zarb, P. Ellul, 15 R. Murphy,  D. Muscat,  A. Paul, 11 B. Zammit

Loyola:   E. Moore, 11 C. Grima, 5 J. Doughty,   D. Hollier, 4 K. Tonna, 11 A. Bonanno,  J. Mangion,  2 Sciberras,  F. Camilleri, 2 SJ Barbara, 28 D. Johnson

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile

Starlites Sports Exp 49

Phoenix Qormi M    36

(10-9, 6-9, 24-11, 9-7)

Starlites ended their commitments for the season with a second victory over Phoenix leaving them stranded at the foot of the table.

Phoenix were on a par with their opponents in the first part of the match and also managed to go in at the interval on a slight lead. Things then went wrong for them after the break as Starlites opened up a good advantage which saw them through the rest of the encounter.

Starlites still had Stephanie Davis on the injured list. Phoenix were with a number of missing players.

Although Phoenix replied to Starlites’ opening hoop with a brace of their own Charlotte Riolo netted a triple for Starlites soon after. Fiona Micallef made a couple of baskets as Phoenix went ahead once more.

Starlites’ reaction brought about a Lindsey Pirotta triple and they kept their new advantage till the period’s end. Phoenix were back in front in the second session after two more hoops but Pirotta nailed her second triple for Starlites.

The latter side then twice tied the score but Ann Camilleri netted a trey for Phoenix as they managed to eke out a slim advantage - 18-16 - at the interval.

After the break, Starlites began to impose their authority in the match. A 9-1 run ending with a third Pirotta triple pushed them in front. Pirotta made more points but Camilleri netted another triple for Phoenix in a 7-2 run which had them close.

Starlites recovered and ended the period on a 9-1 run to edge away once more on a 40-29 score. The scoring died down in the last quarter. Starlites managed to increase their lead with Phoenix creeping back but not near enough. Marilou Cutajar obtained Starlites’ last two hoops for a better basket difference.

Starlites: A. Farrugia, 9 C. Riolo, 6 A. Grixti, 3 S. Tabone,  S. Cutajar, 1 D. Jager, L. Pisani, 20 L. Pirotta,  N. Attard, MC Cilia, C. Scicluna, 10 M. Cutajar

Phoenix: 6  M. Abela,  V. Agius,10  F. Micallef,  2 V. Mifsud Tommasi,  M. Agius, N. Said, 5 H. Potigny, 13 A. Camilleri 

Referees: C. Terribile, J. Mangani

Honey Athleta 39

Hibs Melita Gardens 56

(17-10, 7-16, 9-18, 6-12)

Athleta were on the faint hopes of a good victory over Hibs to squeeze into the playoffs and the opening period kindles their aspirations.

Their bubble was burst in the next session as the Paolites took the game in hand and after easing into a slight advantage till the interval Athleta were brushed away after the break for Hibs to start thinking about the coming matches in the semi final against Luxol.

Athleta had their best possible formation. The Paolites had two missing players Lucienne Bezzina and Alexis Cutajar as they included Lara Micallef.

It was free throws at first before Aleksandra Ratomska put Athleta ahead. Hibs tied the score twice but then Athleta made a brace of hoops. Hibs had Maria Desira as they stayed just behind their opponents. Late in the session Athleta turned in a 7-2 run to open up a better advantage.

In the second period the Paolites opened up well and an 8-0 run mostly from Lena Gipson had them in front. Athleta dragged themselves level on two occasions always through Ratomska who made all the Athleta points. Hibs held their advantage till the interval on a slim 26-24 score.

After the break, Hibs were calmer and this showed in their play when Athleta had to suffer a 2-10 run against.

It was Chantelle Mifsud with the hoops for Athleta but at the other end it was Elena Cassar with fast breaks for the Paolites as they extended their lead. Ratomska netted a triple for athleta but Hibs had a 44-33 advantage.

In the last session, Athleta’s reactions didn’t amount to much. In fact Hibs managed a long 12-2 run without any forceful play to wipe off any remaining opposition from Athleta.

The latter closed down the game with their last two hoops altering nothing from the outcome of the match.

Athleta: 2  M. De Martino, 21 A. Ratomska,  4 C. Ciantar, 2 L. Calleja, 2 L. Sciberras, M. Azzopardi Duca,  G. Muscat,  R. Sciberras,   F. Farrugia, 3 K. Busuttil, 4 C. Mifsud

Hibs: J. Xerri, 18 E. Cassar,  M. Zammit,  F. Mifsud, 12 M. Desira, K. Gatt, L. Micallef, 3  N. Arrigo, 8 K. Baldacchino, 2  J. Cardona, 13 L. Gipson

Referees: A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile

Final standings

Luxol finished on top with 22 points. They were followed by McDonalds Depiro and Alyssa Ashley Loyola on 21 each, and Hibs Melita Gardens on 19. Athleta finished with 17 points, followed by Starlites Sports Experience on 14 and Phoenix Qormi Mendoza on 12.