Malta guard Mikela Riolo’s side Magec Tias have secured their place in the Spanish Lega Femenina 2 for another season after steering away from the drop with an 82-58 blow-out win over AD Cortegada on Saturday.
The side has struggled throughout the season, with COVID-19 playing its part, as well a losing streak that saw former head coach Aday Villalba step down and was eventually replaced by Leocadio Perez.
Riolo, who joined during the summer, was part of the team on Saturday and also registered her first point on the board despite having found it difficult to break into the team during her first season overseas.
The former Starlites player had suffered an injury right at the start which had kept her in the stands until making her official debut in October in a 51-75 loss to GDKO Ibaizanal.
Despite it being a greatly awaited start to her experience, the game was incidentally also the side’s third loss as they faced a tough start to the season.
The win against AD Cortegada was a do-or-die encounter for Magec Tias as it was clear ahead of the game that the side would have to win in order to avoid depending on Sunday’s game between ADBA and Arxil which ended 40-58.
While they are mathematically safe, the side face fourth-place Extremadura Miralvalle Plasencia on Saturday.
