The St James Hospital Women’s League continued with another two matches last weekend with PAVI Depiro having the better of Honey Athleta and Hibs conceding defeat to champions Caffe Moak Luxol.
Depiro lost their previous match to Hibs but were back to winning ways after beating Athleta 88-68. The match proved to be a balanced affair but only until the last quarter when Depiro took control to post a comfortable 20-point margin victory.
Athleta led the match 14-13 at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 20-15 as play resumed only for Depiro reaction to level at 28-all.
Athleta, however, had the better end to go in for the break 37-31 ahead.
Depiro nosed ahead for the first time after the third minute of the third quarter 42-41.
But the match was still a tight affair with Athleta’s efforts towards the end of the session seeing them level at 54-54.
However, any hopes Athleta had of winning this match were dashed as the last ten minutes ticked away following a 13-2 break that allowed Depiro to lead 72-56.
Athleta lost their plot and Depiro went on to dominate their opponents to seal victory.
After their hard-earned victory over Hibs in the semi-finals of the MBA Shield, Luxol lowered Hibs’ colours a second time in succession to start their title defence on a positive note.
At half-time Luxol were leading 30-20 but there was total equilibrium after that as Luxol maintained their ten-point lead (42-32).
Luxol seemed heading for a comfortable win but Hibs grew in confidence and mounted a spirited comeback, pulling back to a single basket behind with a minute left following two Emma Micallef three-pointers.
Luxol were relieved when Christine Grima, Hibs’ top scorer, missed her shot as two free-throws by Monique Caruana saw the champions through 56-50.
Standings: Hibs 3 (1-1), Depiro 3 (1-1), Athleta 3 (1-1), Luxol 2 (1-0), Phoenix 2 (0-2).
Top scorers: A. Simmons (Athleta ) 44, S. Evans (Depiro) 40, S. Brincat (Depiro) 33, C. Grima (Hibs) 32, L. Cassar (Athleta) 29.
National League: (Sunday) 11.15 Luxol vs Athleta, 13.00 Depiro vs Phoenix.