The competitive season started last weekend with the Anniversary Tournament for women, marking the Malta Basketball Association’s 50th year since the organisation’s inception.

With Starlites opting out of all competitions, five teams took part. A new format was adopted and the rules stipulated that the side with two defeats would be automatically eliminated from the two-day tournament.

DHL Phoenix were the first team to drop out of contention and they were followed by Honey Athleta. That paved the way for Hibs, PAVI Depiro and Caffe Moak Luxol to qualify for the final series.

Hibs came a cropper in their next matches as Depiro and Luxol contested the medal match.

Depiro had beaten Luxol in a balanced match in the qualifying phase of the tournament but on Sunday the champions started strongly and 11 consecutive points saw them going 13-6 ahead in the first period.

Depiro tried to hit back and regain control but Luxol held on to change ends 27-20 ahead.

Luxol stretched their lead to 32-20 but a series of changes saw them losing their rhythm. Depiro took advantage and two consecutive Gaby Mifsud three-pointers signalled their recovery.

Luxol were rattled as Depiro closed the gap to a single basket – 32-30.

Depiro looked the more confident team on court at this juncture but Luxol never wilted and all was set for a tense finale.

In the end, it was Antoinette Borg’s basket that settled the issue for Depiro (42-40) with ten seconds left after they were allowed to re-cover three consecutive rebounds.

In the dying seconds, Luxol’s Lackieth Alston had a great chance to force extra time but she missed a sitter from inside the zone.

Depiro: A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud 9, R. Calleja, S. Brincat 7, M. Bonett 4, N. Agius, T. Mifsud, A. Borg 2, S. Evans 18, P. Montanaro, S. Mi-callef 2, C. Ciantar.

Luxol: M. Caruana, B. Zammit 8, S. Tabone, I. Baena, C. Sallami, S. DeMartino 8, K. Portelli, J. Borg Cardona 2, P. Ellul 8, L. Alston 14, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi.

Refs: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani.