Tenacious Hibs keep hopes alive

The Paolites are still in with a good shout, after the first match between these two sides, and the return encounter is still wide open.

Athleta had to trail in the opening session, but went ahead in the next one, keeping their advantage till the interval.

Hibs then managed to tie the score just before the end of the third period, and after Athleta had again opened up another good advantage, the Paolites came back steadily, breathing down their opponents' necks, with Athleta netting the final hoop of the match.

Athleta were in front. early on, as Peter Shoults sank a triple. Hibs rallied with an 11-2 run, as Alvaro Lizaur netted a trey, and they held on to their lead, despite a brace of hoops from Athleta's Josiah Whitehead.

In the second session there were a shower of points. A 10-2 run took Athleta ahead, with Michael Naudi leading the charge.

Adrian Micallef's trey for the Paolites tied the score, and Marco Matijevic free shots had them in front, but Athleta just regained their advantage, with a 70 run, and soon after David Camilleri nailed two quick triples for them, with Simon Attard netting one for Hibs in between.

The rest of the period was shared, as Athleta went into the interval, on a 49-43 advantage.

After the break the game simmered down a little, with Athleta first extending their lead, but the Paolites had a ready answer, putting in a long 13-2 run, with Matijevic hoops and a Lizaur triple.

Their lead was short lived, as Whitehead took Athleta in front, with Micallef's free throw having the sides again on level terms, on a 61-61 score.

In the last period Luke Farrugia sank a Hibs trey, but Athleta reacted well, with an 11-2 run, as Shoults, twice, and Roderick Vella made their triples, Hibs were surprised, as Athleta kept up, with another 7-2 run, to open up a useful advantage.

Hibs got stuck in once more, and came up with a 9-0 run, with Matijevic hoops and Lizaur free throws.

That had them just a hoop behind, with Whitehead netting a last second hoop, to double Athleta's advantage for next Thursday's return match.

Athleta: M. Naudi 13, R. Vella 14, D. Camilleri 12, L. Stefanovic, P. Shoults 18, B. Zammit, J. Bos, S. Vincic, M. Gauci Montaldo, J. Whitehead 24

Hibs: P. Attard, A. Micallef 12, L. Farrugia 7, S. Attard 3, I. Bonett, R. Carabott, M. Matijevic 23, S. Vella, F. Mariani 2, A. Lizaur 30

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, E. Ozpolat