McDonald's Depiro pulled off a hard-earned victory over Luxol to join their beaten opponents and Hibs at the top of the table.

Honey Athleta chalked up their second victory after beating St Andrew's while Loyola Allcare Insurance had the better of Starlites Sports Experience but only after extra-time.

In the main match, Depiro came from behind to scrape past Luxol who threw away victory in the final minutes. Luxol, who had Francesca Psaila Savona missing, made the better start to open a four-point lead until the end of the first quarter 20-16.

After adding their advantage to 10 points, 26-16, Luxol were held back by Depiro's reaction as Adrian Mifsud's girls moved in front, 34-33.

Luxol hit back to establish a five-point lead going into the last quarter, 43-38. At the start of the final 10 minutes, they were nine points ahead, 49-40, but back came Depiro to wipe out the deficit with two consecutive three-pointers by Greta Zarb, who until that moment was having a quiet match, and free-throws.

In a ding-dong affair, it was another Zarb three-pointer, 13 seconds from time, that awarded Depiro a narrow 58-57 victory.

Athleta continued to show progress as they registered a useful victory over St Andrew's.

They started to pull away in the last minutes of the second quarter to change ends 21-15 ahead. With St Andrew's failing to react, Athleta took complete control to finish 53-32 winners.

Loyola had to sweat to bring down Starlites before finishing 42-37 winners.

Starlites held a one-point lead at half-time, 19-18 and the game remained balanced all the way.

Marilou Cutajar forced extra-time for Starlites after tying the score at 34-34, but six consecutive points saw Loyola through.

Standings: Hibs 14 (7-0), Luxol 14 (6-2), Depiro 14 (6-2); Loyola 11 (3-5); Athleta 10 (2-6); Starlites 8 (0-8).

Top scorers: K. Agius (Depiro) 181; S. Pace (Depiro) 151; L. Sciberras (Athleta) 144.

MBA Shield SFs: Thursday, 18.15 Luxol vs Loyola; 19.45 Hibs vs Depiro.