The pair, who have won each of the past five women’s club basketball titles between them, claimed convincing wins in the final week of the regular season on Tuesday night.
Ajax pulled away late to beat the Andy Bay Falcons 87-68, while Varsity did it a little more easily in beating the South Pac Magic 83-68.
Both will be replayed next week, although with a lot more at stake in the semifinals.
On this occasion, though, it was tight early between Varsity and the Magic.
Abby Harris (32 points) and Heidi Sextus (seven points) helped the students on an early run to get a 14-4 jump.
However, the Magic hit back as Tia Pavihi’s (31 points) class in getting to the hoop proved evident.
She helped restore an even scoreline at 14-14 and, after trading baskets again, Harris finished inside to give Varsity an 18-16 quarter-time lead.
At that point, Varsity pulled away.
Eva Marryatt (nine points) hit three three-pointers early in the second quarter as Varsity went on a 27-8 tear to begin the period.
Harris and Legacy Harrison (17 points) were also influential through that, and the 45-24 lead that ensued was one Varsity was not going to give up.
They led 47-29 at halftime and, while Mary Salvana (19 points) gave the Magic some hope in getting it back to 57-46 in the third quarter, it was as close as they got.
Harrison banged in two three-pointers, leaving Varsity to lead 67-47 at the third break.
And while they did not pull away, the Magic never got within striking range, as Harris kept Varsity’s score ticking over through to the end.
Ajax reaffirmed their favourites tag, but they were made to work by a gutsy Falcons outfit.
They stayed close through the first half and it was not until midway through the third quarter that Ajax got their jump.
Even then, the Falcons brought it back to 61-54 early in the fourth quarter, before Ajax buried them with a late run.
Star guard Alexa Duff collected a classy 15 points for the Falcons, a total that was matched by forward duo Annabelle Ring and Zoe Melville, while Elise Carline scored 14.
However, Ajax’s duo of Zoe Richards and Elise Gilbert just had that little bit extra firepower, pouring 30 and 23 points respectively, while forward Natalie Ivamy chipped in 15.
