Alyssa Ashley Loyola and Hibs Medsea booked their place in the final of MBA Shield on Sunday after beating Athleta and Luxol respectively in the semi-finals.

Loyola were simply too good for Athleta as the latter made a good start but crumbled under the pressure.

Belgian Lorna Denooz made her debut for Loyola as Athleta, with Leanne Sciberras in superb form, had the better opening to take a 11-4 lead.

Gradually, Christine Grima and Emma Moore put Loyola back on track to go five points ahead at half-time, 30-25.

Loyola continued to improve after the interval and 15 consecutive points opened the way towards victory and a place in the final. Athleta were down and out as Loyola emerged 59-43 winners.

The other semi-final was a more balanced affair with both sides introducing new foreigners – Spain’s Clementine Brana Medina for Luxol and American Lena Gipon for Hibs.

It was a ding-dong affair in the first quarter but the next session belonged to Hibs who went 26-13 ahead. Luxol hit back admirably to reduce the deficit to four points till lemon time, 26-22.

The third session saw Hibs maintain their slender lead but just before the end of the quarter, six consecutive points extended the Paolites’ advantage to 39-30. Luxol tried hard to get back into the match but it was only in the last few minutes that they managed to reduce the gap. Hibs won the semi-final 51-45.

Sunday: MBA Shield final, 14.45 Loyola vs Hibs.