Luxol 54

Alyssa Ashley Loyola 53

(18-13, 15-9, 9-15, 12-16)

It was another nail-biting finish, as were nearly all of the five finals played, with a twist at the end. After a storming start Luxol held on to their advantage till the opening minutes of the final session. Then it was Loyola for the first time in front, and they kept the Violets chasing them till the end. It was left to Luxol’s American import, Robin Murphy, with her impeccable free throw shots, as she dragged Luxol back ahead. Loyola had a last chance, but Christina Grima’s effort agonisingly ran around the rim and flipped out, into the grateful hands of Murphy, and the Violets were home and dry, but what a game it was once more. These two sides made it worthwhile to all those who attended these five game finals, and it was a pity that somebody had to leave bitterly disappointed, after their wholehearted efforts, but that is the game. For a winner to be announced, there also has to be a loser, and it was Loyola who had to fill that uncomfortable role, although the Luxol players will be the first to admit that they couldn’t have it tougher than these energy draining finals.

Luxol made a dream start, piling in a 12-0 advantage, with two Beverlee Zammit triples, and more hoops from Mandi Sciortino. Loyola were stunned at first, but they gradually came more into the game, and bounced back beautifully with an 11-0 run of their own, as Desarae Johnson started them off. The Violets recovered, to open up their lead once again, to lead 18-14, after a late Johnson hoop for Loyola. In the second period Luxol began in earnest once more, with a 7-0 run, going into another double figure advantage. Loyola tried to strike back, but Abigail Sciberras’ hoops found a reply from Greta Zarb, with a couple of baskets, and at the interval Luxol were enjoying a good 33-22 lead.

After the break the first Loyola efforts to get within the distance again had the Violets with a response every time, keeping their opponents at bay. That was until Loyola strode forward with determination, and an 8-0 run, ending with a Jean Doughty triple, brought them near. A Murphy three point play had the Violets breathing a little easier, and with a session to go, Luxol were on a 42-37 advantage. Loyola made a kick start, and Johnson and Grima points had them on an 8-2 run. Loyola were ahead for the first time, and Luxol, who lost Zammit on fouls, had to do the chasing. For a total of five occasions the Violets had to draw level, with Grima pushing Loyola in front every time. Loyola went ahead one more time, with an Emma Moore free shot, but Luxol still had an ace up their sleeve. When Murphy goes on the free shot throw line, there is only one conclusion. The game’s top scorer did it again, and she nailed her last two throws, although Loyola were in with a last shout. Grima put in her shot, but she was in a lot of traffic, and the ball trickled back, when Murphy swooped like a hawk, to grab the ball, and her outlet pass was enough for Luxol to keep possession for the last couple of seconds, and the title was theirs once more, for back to back victories. It was also the ninth time that the Violets were declared champions.

After the match, and amidst the Luxol celebrations, the MSV Life Senior Executive Marketing, Joanna Azzopardi, presented the league title trophy to the Luxol captain, Mandi Sciortino, as her side ended the season with two honours, having won the Super Cup early on in the season.

Luxol 4 S. Pace, 11 M. Sciortino, C. Medina, 2 B. Naudi, J. Busuttil Gaerty,

9 G. Zarb, P. Ellul, 18 R. Murphy, D. Muscat, A. Paul, 10 B. Zammit

Loyola 2 E. Moore, 16 C. Grima, 3 J. Doughty, D. Hollier, K. Tonna, 4 A. Bonanno, 1 J. Mangion, 8 A. Sciberras, F. Camilleri, 3 SJ Barbara, 16 D. Johnson

Referees G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro