Hibs were careful not to let Loyola repeat the surprise feat when they eliminated the solid Depiro outfit in the semis.

The Paolites won all the sessions of play and Loyola were given no lifeline to pull themselves back into contention and once Loyola had fallen into a double figure deficit they could never make it back. For the champions it was their ninth success in this competition.

Hibs recovered Doreen Micallef who had missed their last two outings and Loyola had Christina Grima back from the UK but Abigail Sciberras was still out of the reckoning.

The champions came out in a hurry as they made an opening 10-2 run with a couple of triples by Kirsten Baldacchino. Loyola tried to recuperate but Lucienne Bezzina had other ideas for Hibs as she put in her points for a double figure advantage.

This had Grima nailing a trey for Loyola in the last seconds of play. The Paolites went out for the second period with another baldacchino triple but Loyola had Sammy Jo Bartolo netting a brace of hoops to try and keep in touch.

Hibs returned with an 8-3 run to push further in front. Grima’s points kept Loyola hovering just beyond reach although Bezzina also put in a triple to keep her side on a sound advantage on a 34-21 interval score.

After the break Loyola made another bid to get nearer and Ruth Spiteri nailed a triple but the Paolites were still in control and kept at a distance with Joselle Cardona points mainly through free shots.

All Loyola’s efforts to creep nearer found a stubborn Hibs defence as the champions held on to a useful 46-32 advantage when the last session started. The Paolites made doubly sure in this latter part of the match.

They played for possession leaving Loyola pointless for a good part of the period and the champions put in a long 7-0 run ending with a Baldacchino fourth trey. Loyola’s last moments were useless as Hibs had made sure of the resuly well before and they finished off the match with another Baldacchino special.

After the game Hibs were presented with the Detur Shield through their captain Lucienne Bezzina by the MBA president Mag. Antonio Mizzi

Hibs: E. Micallef, 2 E. Cassar, M. Zammit, 9 L. Bezzina, 2 F. Tabone, 2 M. Desira, 13 D. Micallef, N. Arrigo, 17 K. Baldacchino, 12 J. Cardona, C. Schiavone

Loyola: 2 J. Doughty, 2 F. Schembri, E. Falzon, M. Gatt, D. Said Hollier, 5 R. Spiteri, 1 A. Bonanno, 20 C. Grima, 2 K. Tonna, F. Camilleri, 4 SJ Barbara, K. Gouder

Referees: JP Sammut, A. Carbonaro