Luxol held their nerve to beat Depiro in the Super Cup. Photo: Stephen Gatt

Pavi Depiro 73
Caffe Moak Luxol 78

(16-15, 12-18, 21-20, 24-25)

As in the Anniversary Tournament final, Luxol and Depiro were engaged in a balanced contest that produced an exciting finish.

This time, it was Luxol who prevailed.

They fielded their new signing, former Hibs player Joselle Borg Cardona, while Beverly Zammit returning from her loan spell with Depiro. These two players replaced captain Mandy Mercieca and Greta Costa, who are both unavailable, while playmaker Sarah Pace is continuing her studies abroad.

Luxol held the upperhand in the early stages to open a slight lead but two consecutive baskets from Depiro put them 16-15 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Luxol made the better start to the second session to regain the lead, 25-22, and, although Depiro improved, Luxol were 33-28 ahead at half-time.

After the interval, Luxol extended their lead to 40-31 but they were pushed back by Depiro who hit an 11-4 break to reduce the arrears to a single basket, 44-42.

Luxol recovered to start the last quarter 53-49 ahead but, after falling seven points behind, Depiro fought back to take a three-point lead, 66-63.

All was set for a tense finale.

With the lead changing hands, a three-pointer by Siarre Evans saw Depiro 73-72 ahead. In the final 30 seconds, Luxol recouped possession after a failed Depiro attempt and Maria Caruana was fouled by Evans as she was going for a fast break.

This was Evans’s fifth foul while Luxol now had two free-throws and possession.

Caruana converted her free-throws to give Luxol a three-point advantage and when Depiro missed their last shots, Luxol could starts their celebrations.

Depiro: A. Mifsud 1, G. Mifsud 5, R. Calleja, S. Brincat 12, M. Bonnet 14, N. Agius 4, T. Mifsud 5, A. Borg 4, S. Evans 28, M. Kopra, S. Micallef, C. Ciantar.

Luxol: M. Caruana 4, B. Zammit 12, O. Visser, I. Baena, C. Sallemi, S. DeMartino 24, K. Portelli, J. Borg Cardona 8, P. Ellul 6, L. Alston 22, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi 2.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, C. Terrible.

Next fixtures
Sunday: St James Shield (women) 13.00 Luxol vs Phoenix; 14.45 Athleta vs Hibs.