Loyola Xuereb Installations 44 Depiro 45
(8-9)(10-7)(18-16)(8-13)

The game went on till the very last seconds, but Depiro held on tenaciously to a minimal point lead, that they acquired late in the game, after being in a double-digit deficit in the third quarter. Both sides last a host of frees hots in the last two minutes, as Depiro came through to a semi final berth.
Depiro recovered Joselle Cardona, from her injury, for this important encounter, and also included Raquel camenzuli, but Sarah Pace and Rhian Spiteri were still out, injured. Claire Hawkins and Abigail Muscat did not play also. Loyola had Carina Gauci on court for the first time this season.
Loyola started off well, potting the first four points of the match, but Depiro recovered. Halfway through the session they jumped into the lead, and although falling behind again, they were in front after ten minutes.
In the second session Ann Camilleri sank a trey to give Loyola the lead again, but Depiro emulated them with a Charlotte Riolo trey. Depiro stayed in front until late in the quarter, when Schembri Wismayer put in three consecutive hoops, for a low 18-16 interval advantage. After the break the game puicked up considerably.
Loyola were alwats in command in this session, although Depiro were still close, after a Greta zarb trey. Then it was An camilleri for Loyola, with two fast treys, for agood 34-22 advantage.
Till the end of the quarter it was Depiro with more treys, from three different players, to come close again, although 32-36 behind, after three sessions. In the final quarterLoyola held on to their lead, but Abigail Sciberras points still kept Depiro close enough behind.
Greta Zarb once more came to Depiro's rescue, and two of her treys tied the match. Roseanne Falzon put Depiro ahead, and this free throw proved to be the winning point, as both sides then failed allof their free shots till the final buzzer. Depiro squeezed through to the semis.

LOYOLA: 11 Ann Camilleri, 10 Sandra Schembri Wismayer, 9 Dorianne Galea DEPIRO: 17 Greta Zarb, 8 Abigail Sciberras
REFEREES: Stephen Micallef, Jennifer Mangani

Luxol 38 Hibs Medsea 59
(8-18)(11-12)(8-15)(11-14)

The holders for the last nine years, in this competion, began their defence with a comprehensive win over Luxol, who usually give them a hard time. This time, however, the Paolites were in control from the very start, and edged away early on, to impose their style of play.
Luxol were never near enough in the concluding sessions, to offer any serious threat, and Hibs could coast through to a semi final spot, in their third win in four meetings against Luxol, this season. Luxol had Justine Mangion missing, and Hibs were once more without Alexis Darmanin.
The match started on a quiet note, as the champions went into the lead. There was a reaction from Luxol, but Hibs had Doreen Parnis in good form throughout the match, and a Beverlee zammit trey helped to enhance the Paolites' lead, as they pulled away from their opponents.
In the second quarterLucienne Bezzina helped ina 6-0 run, as Hibs' advantage continued to increase. The Violets' reply was a satisfactory one, and a 9-2 run, with a Kirsten Micallef trey, gave Luxol some confidence.
Hibs recovered till the halftime buzzer, and two Caroline Fenech hoops put the champions in a 30-19 lead. After the break Beverlee Zammit's trey started Hibs off again. Luxol replied with their hoops, but they became few and far between. as the Paolites embarked on a 10-2 long run, with a number of free throws, when Luxol's fouls caught up with them early on. Hibs kept control till the end of the quarter, ending up 45-27 in front, with just a session to go.
As if this was not enough Hibs opened up the last quarter with another flurry of points, and then their subs came on again from the bench. Luxol could then put in their share of the match, but Doreen Parnis was still active under the boards, for Hibs, and her points ensured that the Paolites could hold on to their big advantage till the end of the match.
LUXOL: 8 Amanda Sciortino, 8 Ruth Spiteri
HIBS: 23 Doreen Parnis, 14 Lucienne Bezzina, 8 Beverlee Zammit
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro