Hibernians      65     Starlites GIG     71    

 (21-10, 12-21, 15-13, 17-27)

Just a week ago Hibs overcame their adversaries, to clinch top placing in the standings, but they faced a reverse in this K.O. encounter, to fail to defend the honour won last season. Starlites stuck to their task, even after falling behind from early on. Hibs' play fluctuated during the match, but when it came to the crunch they failed, and Starlites, possibly encouraged with some heckling to their players, made a strong finish to the match, to advance to the final. Hibs were expected to improve, after roping in their American, Amelia Simmons, from last season, but she seemed still not game fit, and had a quiet time. Starlites still await Stephanie Davis, from her shoulder injury, and Hungarian, Fanni Fabok, was not on the bench.

Hibs' Jasmine Abela shot the Paolites off, with her opening triple, but Starlites reacted, with a 7-0 run, and a trey from their Spaniard, Patricia Arguello. The Paolites then took over, to register a heavy 15-0 run, where Marie Buhagiar surprised her opponents, with well taken hoops, and Abela netting a second triple. Hibs were well worth their good advantage, at the session's end, but in the next quarter Starlites began their way back. The Paolites still kept them at arms' length for some time, but in the late stages of the period Starlites cut down on their deficit, and at the interval they were only a hoop behind, on a 31-33 score.

After the break Starlites forged ahead, only for Hibs to regain their lead, as Ashley Van Vliet, the Paolites' inspiration throughout the match, made her buckets, to finish as the game's top scorer. Starlites tied the score, but it was the Paolites in front, at the end of the session, on a 48-44 score. Two quick buckets took Hibs to a better advantage, but Starlites answered with a 9-0 run, with Maria Bonett and Mikela Riolo points, the latter also with a trey. Hibs were again ahead, with a third Abela triple. and went on to a double hoop advantage, Starlites prevailed, to eke out another lead, with Hibs just behind, and pushing. Starlites stood firm, and two quick Arguello buckets had their opponents reeling. There wasn't sufficient time left, and a couple of Arguello free throws, as Hibs tried to stop the clock, sealed off the Starlites' victory, to pass on to the final.

Hibs: I. Agius, J. Xerri 2, A. Van Vliet 25, S. Brincat 9, L. Duncan 4, J. Abela 11, C. Camilleri, A. Simmons 5, Y. Bonett, N. Farrugia, K. Caruana, M. Buhagiar 9  

Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 3, M. Riolo 15, A. Micallef, S. Farrugia, M. Bonett 11, C. Curmi 11, S. DeMartino 9, P. Arguello 22, M. Cutajar,  A. Lupo   

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, S. Jafilica

 

 

Luxol     70     Arms Depiro     90

(15-27, 22-22, 19-18, 14-23)

Depiro were beaten by Luxol on three occasions, in prior matches, but this one was definitely theirs. They took the lead from the start, and never relinquished it, leaving the Violets to huff and puff, but unable to make a breakthrough. They did advance to just four points behind. towards the end of the third period, but Depiro opened up their advantage again, and that was that. Luxol really felt the absence of their inspirational mandi Mercieca, who was just on the bench, to egg on her teammates. Just a week before she had poured in a heavy tally of points, but this time all could do was watch. Sharon Vella returned for the Violets, after missing some matches, but she is still to improve. Depiro had their talisman, the American, Hannah Johnson, to grab points, with her zone play, and Nicole Agius is passing through a positive period.

Depiro put in their early points, as Agius netted her opening trey. Luxol had Antoinette Borg, and later on, Monique Caruana and Sarah Pace, with triples, but Depiro were solid in their play, with Martina Scicluna also sinking a trey, and her side were enjoying a double-digit advantage, after the opening session. The second period was evenly matched in points, with unable to take away from tehri double figure deficit. Agius sank another Depiro triple, with Beverlee Zammit also making a Luxol trey. Depiro's advantage was more pronounced, but the Violets managed a three bucket spread, before the interval, too as Pace and Cristina Sollami made their hoops, but Depiro were still happy with their 49-37 advantage, halfway through the encounter.

After the break Depiro again extended their lead, but Luxol had Caruana suddenly going on fire, with her treys, nailing in four in a row. They were back in contention, but just as quickly their aspirations came to naught, as Johnson and Agius, the latter with her third triple, contrived to push Depiro to a better advantage, with a 67-56 score, to take them into the last quarter. Luxol made their last fling, with pace making a triple. But Depiro then followed up with an 8-2 run, as Johnson dominated in the paint. Pace nailed a third trey, but the game was already over by then, and when Scicluna netted her second triple Luxol had no ready answer, and Depiro could start thinking about their final adversaries, when they will meet in February.

Luxol: S. Pace 17, M. Caruana 15, N. Vella 3, I. Baena 6, No. Vella, S. Vella 6, K. Portelli 2, A. Borg 5, J. Schembri, C. Sollami 13, M. Pollacco, B. Zammit 3

Depiro: No. Agius, N. Ebejer, N. Agius 24, J. Borg 9, D. Said Hollier 5, M. Scicluna 8, C. Ciantar 9, S. Farrugia, N. Hili, N. Borg, H. Johnson 35, E. Cassar

Referees: I. Simic, M. Hraisha, L. Camilleri