BUPA Luxol 69
Hibernians 58

(14-6, 17-12, 28-21, 10-19)

Reigning champions BUPA Luxol set off the new season, played in the newly refurbished Ta’ Qali basketball complex, on a high note winning the St James Hospital Super Cup, for the ninth time in history, eight years after their last trophy success in 2009.

Both teams were wary of each other at the start of the final with points coming hard to come by.

One of Hibs’ new signings, Roderick Vella (ex-Gzira Athleta) opened the game’s account with one shot from two from the charity line only to be replied, at the other end, with another new signing, Nick Vasovic, who returned to don Luxol’s colours after playing for Floriana.

Both players shared different feelings after the match.

“After a tough pre-season, our first game brought us the first win,” Vasovic said.

“The game could have gone either way, especially when Hibs started coming back but we were well prepared, kept our composure and defended well.

“Our primary aim was to limit Chad Patus and William Ahlberg did an extremely good job in this regard.”

On the other hand, Hibs’ guard Vella was disappointed with the outcome.

“The team is completely new and we are really a work in progress. In this final we had a horrible shooting game,” he said.

BUPA Luxol’s William Ahlberg charges forward against Hibernians. PHOTO: Wally GaleaBUPA Luxol’s William Ahlberg charges forward against Hibernians. PHOTO: Wally Galea
 

Young Keith Dimech opened a slender 6-1 Luxol lead with two consecutive hoops. But Hibs, soon made amends to equalise after a Marko Matijevic close range basket even though the Paolites had already missed five free-throws from seven midway in the first quarter.

Ahlberg who captained Luxol in the absence of Marco Mercieca, who was casually clothed on the team bench together with another potential new signing Nigel Sultana, gave his team another lead which was then extended with two basket-and-one plays from Luxol’s new foreign import Kyle Meyer.

 “Kyle Meyer is a strong addition to the team. He is a great all rounder with an incredible personality. In the final, he showed his clear defensive and rebounding qualities,” Vasovic said.

Even though Hibs tried to reduce the deficit with three-point shots from Alavaro Lizaur and Fabrizio Mariani, Luxol were in sync as they extended the lead to 31-13, potting  a series of points including four shots from downtown.

After the break, it looked like Hibs were to change things round as Vella and Patus registered some hoops to close the gap down to 10 points, 38-28.

But Ahlberg was Luxol’s hero when he led the team’s tempo and with 13 personal points (including three treys) in just a four-minute span he helped his side to gain a 53-33 advantage.

Hibs’ best moment in the game arrived in the middle stages of the last quarter with a 12-0 run that lifted them just seven points away from their opponents, 56-63.

Yet a Dimech close range basket after an offensive rebound gave Luxol a fresh impetus and they then controlled the last stages of the final potting, free-throws after Hibs were trying to stop the game clock.

Vella said the defeat showed Hibs had  a lot to work on.

“We need to work harder on certain details like communication and defence but I am sure we will get there soon enough and be competing for the other silverware this season,” he said.

At the end of the match MBA president Paul Sultana presented the St James Hospital Super Cup trophy to the Luxol players.

BUPA Luxol: CJ Cordina, M. Matijevic, M. Sjoberg, N. Vasovic 16, J. Maistre Melillo, JP Schembri, K. Dimech 12, W. Ahlberg 29, D. Schembri 4, K. Meyer 8, S. Cappello.

Hibs: R. Vella 7, P. Attard, K. Caruana 6, L. Farrugia, S. Attard, I. Bonett, S. Vella, A. Axiaq 9, M. Matijevic 16, C. Patus 12, F. Mariani 5, A. Lizaur 3.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, Z. Dobrosavljevic.

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