Hibernians     75     Gzira Athleta     88

(21-14, 16-25, 18-25, 20-24)

The Play Off final went underway, with an Athleta victory, which matures after the interval, and which left the Hibernians players unable to make any significant impact when it mattered. Athleta took time to settle down, but when they did they had the measure of their opponents, even when they lost their talisman, Jon Feiler, on fouls. Not many Athleta players put down their names on the score sheet, but four of them were into significant double figures. Feiler's towering height advantage pulled down loose balls in the paint, and Hibs found it frustrating, as they command under the boards, against other sides.

The Paolites had Roderick Vella and Chad Patus sinking early treys, but Omar Said started his own tally, for Athleta. Hibs were again in front, after Alvaro Lizaur and Patus triples. Ivan Mitrovic netted an Athleta trey, but Hibs' advantage was enhanced with a late Lizaur triple. In the second period more triples, by Lizaur and Patus had the Paolites on a maximum advantage, but Athleta turned the game around, with a solid 14-2 run, and another Said trey, along with Mitrovic and Feiler hoops. Hibs were once more ahead, as Lizaur netted two more triples, in an 8-2 run, but Athleta ended the session with a personal Michael Naudi 7-0 run, also with a trey, to grab a 39-37 halftime lead.

After the break Hibs mustered another 7-2 run, with Marco Matijevic points, but from then it was Athleta calling the shots, to make a decisive stride towards victory. A good 14-2 run, with another Said brace of treys, opened up a sound lead. Hibs were only able to answer back in spurts, and Athleta were in command. A second Mitrovic triple helped them to a 64-55 advantage. In the last quarter Athleta were still racing away, as they obtained an early 8-2 run, with a fifth Said triple. Hibs were struggling to keep up, when Athleta lost Feiler, on fouls, but this did not deter Athleta, who jolted their adversaries with more treys, by Mitrovic and Peter Shoults. The latter was soon out, also on fouls, but Hibs had a mountain to climb by then. They did reduce their deficit, but they were still at a distance, and when they tried to stop the clock, Athleta gratefully sank their free throws, to open up a better result, at the end of the match.

The second final is on for next Wednesday, and Hibs must pull their socks up, if they want to leave an impression.

Hibs: R. Vella 3, P. Attard, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia, S. Attard 2, I. Bonett, L. Tardito 7, A. Axiaq 6, M. Matijevic 15, A. Lizaur 23, F. Mariani, C. Patus 19

Athleta: M. Naudi 18, B. Zammit , K. Liivamagi , P. Shoults 7, L. Stefanovic, F. Mifsud Bonnici, O. Said 21, M. Gouder, N. Xuereb, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 20, J. Feiler 22    

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, T. Mantere