Starlites GIG 64 Hibernians 66
(22-5, 5-23, 12-18, 25-20)
Hibs survived a horrendous start, and twice had nineteen points deficits against them, but they still managed to emerge victorious, to claim a direct final spot in the Play Offs. Starlites must surely rue their lack of defence, after having built such heavy leads, and now have extra games, to make sure of a place in the final.
On the other hand, Hibs made a grand comeback, and their defence of the league title, won last season, is very well on. Kirsty Galea was back, for Starlites, and they also included Welshwoman, Hayley Acreman, with Adriana Lupo missing out of the side. Emma Micallef returned to the Hibs squad.
It was a dream start for Starlites, as they completely controlled their opponents, denying them time and again. Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, began with her points, and a trey, with Kirsty Galea providing more points. Arguello came up with another triple, and the Santo Domingan, Geocelis Reynoso, making free shots, to run up a heavy 19-0 advantage, before the champions could notch in their first point. Sophie Abela added another hoop, but Hibs were still with a heavy deficit. All changed in the second session, as the champions began with more Abela points, but Starlites countered with Arguello and Reynoso points of their own. All of a sudden, the Paolites went into top gear, leaving Starlites stunned. They made up a solid 20-0 run, with American, Amelia Simmons, and Sam Brincat putting in treys, the latter with two. Starlites could not react, and the champions swept in front, late in the period, to wipe out their deficit, and lead by a mere 28-27 score, at the interval.
After the break the Paolites kept on their way, extending their advantage, until Starlites pulled points back. Up came Simmons, with more personal points, and a second triple. Hibs persisted, going into a double figure lead, but Arguello;s next triple had Starlites nearer, although still 39-46 behind. Brincat began with a second trey, in the last quarter, for the champions. More Elena Cassar free shots took them further in front. Starlites rallied back, to four points down. Three players were lost on fouls, Simmons and Hannah Al Tumi for Hibs and Joey Grima for Starlites. The champions hung on to their lead, which went down to a single hoop, at the end, with Michela Zammit Cordina's trey for Starlites, but there was no breakthrough for them, and Hibs could go directly into the Play Off final, with Starlites having to play Luxol in the best of three semi-final.
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 5, K. Galea 18, M. Riolo, S. Farrugia, M. Bonett 2, H. Acreman, C. Curmi 2, J. Grima 3, P. Arguello 22, M. Cutajar, S. Davies, G. Reynoso 12
Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar 6, K. Calleja, S. Brincat 16, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 13, A. Simmons 25, N. Farrugia, H. Al Tumi 4, K. Caruana, L. Duncan 2
Referees: D, Torok, C, Xuereb, I. Simic
Caffe Moak Luxol 56 Depiro 43
(15-10, 14-8, 14-7, 13-18)
The last game of the group, which had no bearing on the Play Off matches, resulted in another win, for Luxol, over Depiro, who had to endure playing without any foreigner, after the departure of American, Ashley Gray, at the turn of the new year. Luxol strolled to their victory, with a good contribution from American, Alexis Dillard, as bench players also made their way on court. The Violets were missing a couple of players, Beverlee Zammit and Paula Ellul, whilst Nicole Hili was just a spectator on the bench, for Depiro.
Luxol had the early leads, and Monique Caruana sank a triple, but Depiro retaliated with a three-basket spread, as Denise Said Hollier netted two of them. American, Alexis Dillard, made her points, but Steffi Demartino's free shots had Depiro again in front. Late in the session it was left to Spaniard, Ina Baena, to nail two quick triples, as Luxol swept in front. Dillard went on, in the next session of play, extending Luxol's advantage. Depiro pulled hoops back, but a 7-0 Luxol run, with a Sarah Pace triple, had the Violets cruising, only for Depiro to reply, in the latter stages of the period, as DeMartino netted a trey. At the interval Luxol were on a 29-19 advantage.
After the break the Violets opened up well once more, as they made up a 10-0 run, with Sarah Pace and Antoinette Borg triples. Depiro reacted, with a 7-2 run of their own, but they were still at a distance from their adversaries., who were 43-25 to the good. In the last quarter play was balanced for a while, as Luxol had Nicole Vella going on court, and making a brace of hoops, with Ciantar replying for Depiro, who then came up with a good patch of play, with Ciantar making her free throws. Both sides made final points, with Luxol assured of their victory, as they finished with five wins, and now prepare for their semi-final clash, with Starlites, in the Play offs.
Luxol: S. Pace 3, Ni. Vella 6, I. Baena 6, No. Vella, S, Vella 2, K. Portelli, A. Borg 5, M. Caruana 6, C. Mifsud, A. Dillard 28
Depiro: No. Agius 4, Ni. Agius 2, G. Mifsud 4, S. DeMartino 6, D. Said Hollier 4, M. Scicluna, C. Ciantar 20, A. Mifsud 3, E. Cassar
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, K. Dworniczak