Hibs are now in top position
Cynergi Depiro 67 Hibernians 82 (22-29, 13-13, 16-17, 16-23)
The Paolites marked their fourth league win in six matches and given the outcome of the day’s play they have now gone to the top spot. They were only briefly behind at the start but then they forged ahead and kept their advantage increasing it after the interval.
Depiro had American Lene Duckinson back in the side playing in the last stages when Dominic Scafidi was fouled out. Hibs had to make do without Roderick Vella still injured but they upgraded Italian Luca Tardito from the second tier of play and also recovered Simon Attard.
After Hibs’ opening hoop Depiro jumped ahead with Scafidi points and a triple. The Paolites overturned the score as they made up a 9-2 run with an Alvaro Lizaur trey. Later on it was an 8-3 run with Andrew Aquilina netting a Depiro triple.
It was Lizaur Marco Matijevic and Chad Patus piling in the points for Hibs with Paul Attard nailing a late trey but Depiro were also consistent led by Scafidi.
In the second period play was more balanced. At first it was Depiro creeping back with an 8-1 run to tie the score. The Paolites responded quickly as Lizaur and Luke farrugia netted triples. They edged ahead once more to end the session 42-35 in front at the interval.
After the break, Depiro were still pressing their opponents. Aquilina sank a second trey but the Paolites’ Lizaur with another triple and Matijwvic and Patus also put in triples. Kurt Xuereb sank a very late Depiro trey but Hibs were on a 59-51 advantage.
In the last quarter, Depiro tried to stay in contention but Hibs were adamant and Patus hammered in three more triples to put his side in a winning position. Depiro had Aquilina and David Bugeja netting more treys but Matijevic made his hoops and free shots to keep the Paolites well in front till the end of the encounter.
Depiro: D. Bugeja 15, D. Camilleri, L. Duckinson, A. Aquilina 13, N. Grech 2, A. Attard, M. Mallia 5, K. Xuereb 9, M. Borg, D. Scafidi 23
Hibs: P. Attard 3, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 6, S. Attard, I. Bonett, L. Tardito, A. Axiaq 2, M. Matijevic 24, A. Lizaur 22, F. Mariani, C. Patus 25
Referees: E. Mangani, T. Mantere, K. Dworniczak