Hibs win and stay near the top of the table

Victoria Libertas 42 Hibernains 55 (14-16, 4-17, 14-16, 10-6)

The Poalites made it three wins in four encounters to accompany Athleta with the same number of points in the standings also registering three victories over Libertas in three different competitions.

Libertas had the Italian Daniele Miani back from suspension but the Spaniard David Garcia Wayne Spiteri and Malcolm Sammut were missing.

Hibs included Kieron Caruana - declared fit for play - and introduced young Ayrton Galea but were without Luke Farrugia Jeremy Piscopo and Kurt Sultana.

Hibs began with a 9-0 run as Caruana netted a trey. Libertas reacted well with a four hoop spread.

The Paolites then had Isaac Bonett with a triple as Libertas followed with another three hoop spread to tie the score but Hibs ended the session in front.

In the next period Libertas were on a par again but the Paolites then controlled the game making up a long 17-0 run with the Italian Luca Tardito. and Bonett points also with another trey.

Finally they were stopped with Michel Farrugia free shots and at the interval Hibe were on a 33-18 advantage.

After the break Hibs distanced themselves further as they put in a 12-2 run with a brace of Caruana triples. Libertas reduced their deficit with a session ending 12-4 run mainly from Sean Mizzi and Hibs were leading 49-32 going into the last quarter.

The points fell away as the Paolites held on to their advantage. Libertas managed a late 7-0 run by Nicolo Petrucci and Bernard Soler with Bonett closing down the game’s scoring with his last hoop.

Libertas: M. Farrugia 8, K. Galea, N. Petrucci 4, S. Mizzi 8,D. Miani 8, E. Lupo 6, D. Agius 2, B. Soler 6

Hibs: J. Debono, M. Formosa 2, A. Galea,, P. Attard 5, I. Bonett 17, E. Xuereb 2, K. Caruana 13, M. Hampton 4, R. Aquilina. L. Tardito 12

Referees: N. Azzopardi, B. Sly