Depiro 87 Hibernians 91
(after overtime)
(13-28, 27-16, 21-15, 20-22) - (6-10)
The 53rd edition of the Men's K.O. went Hibs' way, but only after overtime, as they kept the Cup for the third time in succession, and for the fifth time, in their history. They also kept a hold on their final appearances, winning all five finals they took part in. Depiro had appeared in fourteen finals before, winning four of them. It was a close match for most of the time, and it was a pity that one of the finalists had to go home empty handed, as both deserved to win. The Paolites led throughout all the regular time of play, only to see Depiro force overtime, in the last seconds of the match. Depiro then led twice, in extra time, but a better ending by the champions ensured their victory, and eventual placing in the Super Cup, next season. The captains of both teams were non-playing ones, both being injured, but took their places on the bench. At the end it was Hibs' Marco Matijevic, who held aloft the winning trophy.
Hibs started well, with a couple of triples, by Canadian, Chad Cuschieri Patus, and Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur. American, Trent Steen, made depiro's first points, from free throws, followed by another American, Jack Nygaard. The last stages of the period had Serbian, Ivan Demcesen, and Roderick Vella, the latter also with a trey, making more points, for a hansome Hibs advantage. The next session saw Depiro making ground, with a 9-0 run, and an Omar said triple. The triples began to pour in, with three at either end. Nicholas Grech and Nygaard, twice, netted for the Paolites, and Cuschieri Patus, Luke Farrugia and Lizaur making thiers for Hibs. More Nygaard points drew Depiro closer, but they were still 40-44 behind, at the interval.
After the break the Paolites opened up thier advantage once more, with another Lizaur trey and Italian, Luca tardito, hoops. Said and Nygaard also made Depiro triples, with Lizaur sinking another, in between, for the champions. Vella also put in a second trey, as Hibs extended their advantageSteen and Nygaard twice pulled Depiro closer, with Hibs making their points in between, as the Paolites were leading 69-61, after three sessions of play. The last quarter had Depiro running down their deficit, as Nygaard points, and another treyhad them just a point behind. Hibs held on to their lead, with Cuschieri Patus sinking a third triple. A e Depiro effort brought dividenda, as three Steen buckets had his side on a par, at 81-81, to force overtime, when Hibs failed in their last possession.
More Nygaard points had Depiro leading for the first time, and regaining another advantage, but the champions persevered, and they managed to end the overtime on a better level, as they netted the last seven points of the period, to claim the victory, making their last free shots, when Depiro tried to stop the shot clock.
After the match the BOV Chief Officer, Peter Peroti, and MBA president, Paul Sultana, presented the Hibs players with their winning medals, the MVP award went to Roderick Vella, and Marco Matijevic received the K.O. trophy, for the Paolites' second honour of the season, after the Super Cup.
Depiro: T. Steen 27, K. Hamilton 8, J. Attard, D. Farrugia, N. Grech 4, O. Said 6, M. Mallia, M. Borg, J. Nygaard 34, A. Chomo 8, A. Attard
Hibs: R. Vella 15, P. Attard, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 3, M. Formosa, I. Bonett, L. Tardito14, A. Axiaq 11, M. Matijevic, A. Lizaur 19, I. Demcesen 6, C. Cuschieri Patus 23
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, Z. Dobrosavljevic