In the opening match from the women's MBA Shield, champions Depiro Still just managed to squeeze past Naxxar. Rivals Hibs Go Mobile were not troubled by Qormi Seiko.

After a bright start, Depiro struggled to contain Naxxar's comeback in the last session.

The champions sorely missed tall players Josephine Grima and Joselle Cardona, currently in Italy, while Rosanne Falzon is still suspended.

Depiro also saw some of their youngsters, including Adalina Bonanno, seeking pastures new in the summer but they have signed Edel Bonello from Hamrun as the latter are not taking part in the Malta Basketball Association women's competitions this season.

Naxxar, under new coach Joe Miceli, replaced the departing Nadia Mifsud, who has joined Hibs, with Joanne Farrugia, ex-Hamrun.

Depiro made a strong start, surging into a 31-8 lead. Naxxar gradually began to close the gap before finally taking a one-point lead at the start of the final session, 47-46.

A steady comeback helped Depiro gain a five-point buffer and hard as they tried, Naxxar failed to wipe out the deficit till the final whistle, 60-62.

Dorianne Galea finished as the match top scorer with 31 points followed by Naxxar's Irene Farrugia on 21.

Hibs met little resistance from Qormi who, despite losing their tall player Svetlana Micallef to their opponents, paraded their new signings, former Depiro player Bonanno and Kathleen Gouder and Graziella Santillo, who were on the books of Hamrun.

Hibs had the game sealed by half-time when they led 43-14. The Paolites kept piling up the pressure and it was only after they introduced their younger players that Qormi added to their score but still finished on the wrong end of a 75-35 defeat.

MBA player of the year Lucienne Bezzina of Hibs top scored with 16 points.

Next fixtures: Friday - 6.15 p.m. Depiro vs Kerygma; 7.45 p.m. Hibs vs Luxol. Sunday - 11 a.m. Naxxar vs Kerygma; 12.45 p.m. Qormi vs Luxol.