Hibernians     87     Starlites GIG     84

(18-27, 15-12, 32-22, 22-23)

The league campaign for the top sides opened with an enthralling match, which saw the Paolites crawl back from a heavy deficit, midway through the second session, to post their opening victory, and deny Starlites, who looked good enough, in the first part of the match, to garner their first win. American, Konor Kulas, tormented the Hibs defence at first, and he poured in his points, both inside the paint, and also with long ones, but then he made heavy going after the break, as he was crowded out. Serbian, Ivan Demcesen, used his height to propel the Paolites forward and get back in the match. Then there were other players, on either side, to make the difference, at odd parts of the game, as Robert Bonnici and Ryan Carabott, for Starlites, and Nikola Vasovic and Marco Matijevic for Hibs, who also had David Bugeja running their play the whole time. Hibs have already won the Super Cup and were beaten finalists in the MBA Shield. On their part, Starlites lost to Gzira Athleta in the first honour of the season, the Independence Cup.

Starlites rushed out from the start, with the Paolites making their now customary slow beginning. Kulas was deadly from the distance, nailing a total of four triples, as his side began to edge away from their adversaries. Hibs had David Bugeja and Swede, William Ahlberg, also netting treys, but the latter made a premature exit from the match, with his injured wrist, although Demcesen started to grab his zone hoops. Starlites still held a good advantage after the opening session. The second one had Starlites moving away further, as they established a heavy 39-22 lead, where they looked to overrun their opponents, but the Paolites found their form. Luke Farrugia came off the bench, to sink a triple, and more Demcesen buckets produced a late 11-0 run, till the interval, when Starlites advantage was whittled down to a six-point match, at 39-33.

After the break, Hibs went nearer, but American, Jeremy Marseille, netted a Starlites trey. The Paolites persisted and finally managed to forge in front, with a Vasovic hoop. Although they were behind twice more, there were Bugeja and Vasovic triples, and further Demcesen points, to take them to a 65-61 advantage, as American, Chandler Rowe, was short on personal points, but dished out quite a good number of assists. The last quarter had Starlites reacting, to regain their lead twice more, as Ryan Carabott went on fire, and produced a personal 8-0 run, with a brace of treys. That was the signal for another Hibs revival, as they subjected their adversaries to a steady 11-0 run, starting with a Vasovic trey, and some more free throws. The Paolites looked home and dry, but Starlites persisted, and two quick turnovers in their favour had them just a hoop behind, in the last minute of play. Hibs' pillar then was Matijevic, as he sank a couple of free shots. Starlites still came back, with a Bonnici triple, but Matijevic again netted two more free throws. Only six seconds remained, and Starlites had their last fling, but a hurried Alec Felice Pace long-range try failed to find its mark, and the Paolites were safe.

Hibs:  W. Ahlberg 3, P. Attard, D. Bugeja12, K. Caruana, L. Farrugia 3,  I. Bonett, N. Vasovic 21, A. Axiaq 3, M. Matijevic 15, M. Attard, C. Rowe 4, I. Demcesen 26  

Starlites: A. Felice Pace 10, R. Bonnici 18, I. Felice Pace, M. Fabri, M. Scerri, R. Carabott 14, I. Kumric, K. Kulac 29, J. Marseille 13 

Referees: K. Dworniczak, L. Camilleri, M. Hraisha