Last gasp victory for Luxol leaves Hibs bitterly disappointed
Hibernians 49 Caffe Moak Luxol 50 (12-12, 9-17, 18-6, 10-15)
Hibs' performance after the interval shot them in front, and they held on to their advantage till the final seconds, when up popped Sarah Pace, who was having a quiet game up till then, and she made the winning basket, just seconds a couple of seconds from time, and leave her adversaries speechless.
It was a bitter blow to the Paolites, who had more than matched their opponents, and seemed good enough to keep their noses in front, only to have their hopes dashed with that late basket.
Luxol held good advantages on several occasions, but played second fiddle to the Paolites in the second part of the match.
Luxol have now made it eight victories in the Super Cup, and remarkably, they have won the last six editions of the Cup.
This was their second honour, after their recent triumph in the Independence Cup.
Luxol opened up on a strong note, taking a 10-0 advantage, before the Paolites began to show their worth.
That they did, as they managed to overturn the score, with Armstead points and more from Naomi Farrugia, also a triple.
Luxol tied the score with a late free throw.
In the second period Lindsay Lessard came into the picture for the Violets, with a personal 7-0 run, with Hibs then sharing the rest of the session, but Luxol held on their new advantage, and at the interval the champions were enjoying a 29-21 lead.
After the break Luxol kept their adversaries at bay for some more time, but the Paolites struck a purple patch, with a solid 14-0 run, with an Emma Micallef trey and more Armstead points.
Hibs were the new leaders, and had a 39-35 advantage, going into the last session.
Luxol were just a point behind soon after, but a second Farrugia triple spurred the Paolites on, Lessard took the champions to a tie, but Hibs opened up another advantage.
The last stages saw Sarah Pace as the protagonist, for Luxol, as she first reduced their deficit, then, in a last seven second possession, she went through the opposing defence, to plant in the winning hoop, leaving Hibs no time to recuperate.
Luxol gleefully accepted the Super Cup from the MBA president, Paul Sultana, through their match winning player, Sarah Pace.
Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar, N. Vella I. Agius, K. Caruana, S. Gambino, K, Portanier Mifsud, N. Farrugia, R. Vella, J. Scerri
Luxol: S. Pace 7, C. Sollami, M. Mercieca 1, I. Baena Medina, M. Darmanin 6, S. DeMartino 9, K. Portelli, P. Ellul 4, N. Vella, L. Lessard 23, C. Curmi
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, E. Mangani