Depiro fall away towards the end

Hibernians 73 Depiro 53 (17-14, 18-18, 21-13, 17-8)

The Paolites had already beaten Depiro in an Independence Cup encounter and they went on to bag both honours which were on call as yet.

This time around Depiro gave their adversaries a better run for their money. They stayed close and in contention till a few minutes from the end of the third session of play.

Then Hibs’ class shone through as their experienced duo Ashleigh Van Vliet and Sam Brincat along with young Ylenia Bonett’ s predatory instincts took the Poalites to an unassailable advantage. Depiro had to bow to superior opposition but not before making a statement to the other sides in this competition.

Hibs were missing the expertise of Leanne Duncan injured in their last match and also Britney Agius with their places taken by a couple of youngsters Eliza Farrugia and Kaya Calleja. The Depiro coach Reuben Baldacchino rotated his large contingent of youngsters with Jasmine and Amy Mallia making way for Neve Borg and Nicole Agius.

Hibs raced into an early 9-2 advantage with a Naomi Farrugia trey after Depiro’ s opening hoop. Depiro struck back with an 8-2 run and a Nicole Agius triple. Hibs kept in front as Sam Brincat netted her opening trey.

In the next period Depiro first went closer and then forged ahead for the first time through Julia Borg. Their lead was short lived as vella and Brincat the latter with another trey re-established the Paolites’ lead. Depiro overturned the score once more but Farrugia and Marie Buhagiar sank triples for Hibs. Despite the American Hannah Johnson points for Depiro late in the session the Paolites were still in front at the interval on a small 35-32 advantage.

After the break, Depiro were still breathing down Hibs’ necks but Van Vliet gave the Paolites more space with her trey. Free throws took Depiro to a single point difference but then Hibs began to draw away in earnest. Till the end of the session the Paolites made up a 12-2 run as Brincat and Bonett sank triples to hand their side a 56-45 advantage.

The last period saw Hibs continue to put distance between the two sides with an opening 9-2 run. Depiro’ s answer wasn’ t sufficient to take away any deficit and Brincat along with Bonett fast breaks established more than a winning margin in Hibs’ first step to make it to the final.

Hibs: I. Agius, J. Xerri 2, A. Van Vliet 21, S. Brincat 16, E. Farrugia, J. Abela 2, K. Calleja, Y. Bonett 15, N. Farrugia 6, C. Camilleri 2, K. Caruana, M. Buhagiar 9

Depiro: N. Agius, N. Borg , N. Ebejer, Ni.. Agius 10, D. Agius 2, J. Borg 4, D. Said Hollier 5, M. Scicluna 2, C. Ciantar 8, T. Mifsud, N. Hili, H. Johnson 22, E. Cassar

Referees: B. Vassallo, Z. Dobrosavljevic, L. Camilleri

Starlites only make sure in the final seconds Starlites GIG 66 Luxol 59 (15-9, 14-12, 15-14, 22-24)

Starlites had their victory and they led for practically the whole encounter but the Violets made a late surge and they nearly upset Starlites’ applecart only for late free throws to seal the match.

Starlites fielded their standard formation but Luxol’ s additions have made the side more stable with a better bench. True some players are going to lose playing minutes but the Violets will be more than a match to the other contestants.

They have three more faces with them with the Spaniard Ina Baena back and the returning Monique Caruana and Cristina Sollami, the latter back from abroad.

It was Starlites with a three hoops spread after Luxol’ s opening basket. Sarah Pace netted Luxol’ s triple and SharonVella points kept Luxol close until Starlites’ Spaniard Patricia Arguello who ended up as the player of the match netted a trey to open Starlites’ lead.

In the next session Starlites twice replied quickly to Luxol’ s triples. First it was Beverlee Zammit for the Violets with an immediate Starlites trey from Arguello. Then it was Pace with another Luxol trey but back came Christine Curmi to answer back in similar style. Luxol also had Mandi Mercieca to help them on but they were still 21-29 behind at the halfway stage.

After the break, Vella’ s points took Luxol quite near in a 7-2 run but Starlites recovered to open up their advantage once again. Luxol’ s attempts to get near again were thwarted as Curmi sank another Starlites trey and her side was 44-35 in front.

In the last quarter Pace and Baena also put in Luxol treys but again Starlites replied likewise from a couple of Arguello treys. Mercieca took Luxol nearer but Starlites held firm with Michela Riolo points. Luxol made a late surge and Pace managed a fourth triple and Sollami’ s only hoop of the match had the Violets within striking distance with time running out. Starlites saved the day with late free throws to make sure of the result.

Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 4, M. Riolo 7, A. Micallef 3, S. Farrugia 6, M. Bonett 3, F. Fabok, C. Curmi 10, C. Cilia, P. Arguello 29, M. Cutajar, S. Davies 2, A. Lupo 2

Luxol: S. Pace 19, B. Zammit 3, N. Vella, I. Baena 3, No. Vella, S. Vella 19, K. Portelli, A. Borg, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Caruana, C. Sollami, M. Mercieca 13

Referees: K. Dworniczak, L. Camilleri, I. Simic