Women’s basketball action resumed at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion on Sunday for the concluding round of group stage matches in the John Tabone Shield. Both Starlites Revive and Betsson Depiro emerged victorious in their matches, securing places in the semi-finals and demonstrating strong form ahead of the knockout stage.
Betsson Depiro maintained their unbeaten streak with a commanding 97–43 win over Valletta Dream. Depiro controlled the game from the opening tip-off, combining fast breaks, precise ball movement, and disciplined defence. Valletta struggled to keep up, remaining winless this season.
The match began with a flurry from Depiro as Lovely Sonnier scored twice in transition, supported by Neve Borg’s mid-range jumper, setting off a 16–0 run that left Valletta behind before they scored their first points with Hayley Grixti’s three-pointer. Sonnier led all scorers with 22 points, while Samira Deguara contributed 14 points off the bench. Other contributors included Julia Borg Xerri, Celine Fenech, Jasmine Mallia, and Andrea Tollar Lopez, all helping to maintain Depiro’s dominance.
For Valletta, Olesia Malashenko stood out with 28 points, providing most of Valletta’s scoring through inside plays and free throws. Marija Momcilovic added a late three-pointer, but Valletta could not establish a rhythm to counter Depiro’s high-paced offence. Depiro’s rotation allowed Hannah Farag, Nicole Agius, and Ylenia Mangion to contribute, while Sonnier and Borg Xerri continued to drive the team’s performance. Turnovers and defensive pressure kept Valletta at a distance throughout the match, ensuring Depiro finished the group stage strongly.
In a separate matchup, Starlites Revive secured first place in the Shield group with a 63–57 victory over Caffe Moak Luxol. Starlites’ Georgia Haverlock led the scoring with 20 points, supported by Rebecca Naudi’s 19 points, while Mikela Riolo added 11 points. Luxol’s Olivia Wikstrom impressed with 27 points and 12 rebounds, but Starlites held on despite a late surge from their opponents.
Luxol started strongly with a three-pointer from Sarah Sciberras, but Starlites quickly responded. Naudi orchestrated a 15–0 run that set the tone, and the Naxxar side extended their lead throughout the first quarter. In the second half, Luxol attempted a comeback with Wikstrom leading the charge and support from Sarah Fenech Pace and Eve Axisa, cutting the deficit to single digits. Starlites, however, maintained composure and control, with Haverlock’s free throws and Naudi’s leadership securing the win.
With these results, Starlites claimed the top seed for the knockout stage and will face Hibernians in the semi-finals. Depiro, having dominated Valletta Dream, will take on Luxol. Both teams have set a strong benchmark this season, and the semi-finals promise to be competitive and engaging.
Depiro’s line-up for the match against Valletta included L. Sonnier 22, S. Deguara 14, J. Borg Xerri 9, J. Borg 9, J. Mallia 7, A. Tollar Lopez 7, C. Fenech 6, N. Agius 6, N. Borg 6, H. Farag 2, Y. Mangion 5, S. Abela 4. Valletta Dream’s scoring was led by O. Malashenko 28, M. Momcilovic 5, H. Grixti 5, N. Montalvo 2, S. Kankaras 3.
For Starlites Revive, the contributors were G. Haverlock 20, R. Naudi 19, M. Riolo 11, M. Fenech 6, P. Riolo 7, while Luxol’s points came from O. Wikstrom 27, E. Axisa 9, S. Sciberras 7, J. Said 3, R. Fenech Pace 2, V. Baldacchino 2.
The referees were N. Rincon and J. Siefert for Depiro vs Valletta, and G. Barbara and W. Lim for Starlites vs Luxol.
As the John Tabone Shield moves into the semi-finals, supporters will be watching closely to see if Depiro and Starlites can carry their group stage form into the knockout rounds. Both teams have shown strong cohesion, scoring depth, and defensive discipline, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the competition.
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