Just weeks after the Super Cup saw Starlites stun Hibernians to lift the season’s first trophy, the two sides will face off again in the John Tabone Shield’s final on Sunday.
Starlites and Hibernians booked their ticket by beating Athleta AtoZ and Luxol Sherries Estates respectively at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion on Sunday.
HIBERNIANS 90
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES 70
(21-15, 25-20, 15-20, 29-15)
Hibernians produced a commanding performance to book their place in the final with a 20-point victory over Luxol, led by Ayomide Ajiboye’s explosive 24 points and Deonte Jackson’s composed mid-range scoring.
Ivan Demcesen and Elijah Simmons added valuable support, while Matthew Gouder’s energy inside set the tone early on.
Luxol relied heavily on Jayden Johnson, who poured in 21 points, with Nathan Xuereb and Burke Smith adding valuable numbers to the board, but the supporting cast struggled to contain Hibernians’ fast-paced attack.
The game opened with Connor James striking first for the Violets, but Ajiboye quickly replied with a pair of forceful drives to spark the Paolites into rhythm.
Jackson’s layups and Piotr Stelmach’s three-pointer pushed the lead to 9-4 as Luxol’s defence faltered in transition.
Johnson did his best to keep Luxol in touch with a series of smooth jump shots, yet Jackson and Demcesen combined to close the first quarter 21-15 in Hibernians’ favour.
Momentum stayed with Christian Narciso’s clan in the second quarter as Simmons began finding space around the key. Gouder and Ajiboye continued to punish Luxol on the break, while Jackson’s three-pointer extended the gap – and his tally – to double figures.
Luxol fought back through Xuereb and Smith, but every surge was swiftly countered. Demcesen’s free throws helped Hibs reach the half with a firm 46-35 cushion.
Duncan Fenech’s Luxol showed brief resistance after the break through Dominic Tomasi’s put-backs and Smith’s long-range shooting, narrowing the gap to eight.
However, Ajiboye’s nonstop drives and Gouder’s smart finishes re-established control. Simmons’ mid-range jumper restored calm before the quarter closed 61–55, setting the stage for a decisive final stretch.
The fourth rubber turned into a statement of dominance.
Simmons hit a string of jumpers, Demcesen imposed himself under the basket, and Jackson maintained scoring balance. Ajiboye’s thunderous dunk ignited a final run as Hibs surged beyond reach.
Even Luxol’s late triples from James, Tomasi, and Miguel Brincat couldn’t dent the margin. Stelmach and Stefan Simic capped the performance with late baskets to seal a resounding win, confirming the Paolites’ place in the final on the back of a complete team performance.
HIBERNIANS N. Cassar, E. Simmons 16, A. Ajiboye 24, L. Farrugia, P. Stelmach 8, V. Kustudja, M. Gouder 9, D. Jackson 18, M. Attard, T. Gjurovski, I. Demcesen 13, S. Simic 2.
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES A. Azzopardi 4, C. James 5, N. Xuereb 14, J. Johnson 21, M. Brincat 6, D. Tomasi 8, B. Smith 12, N. Dakovic.
Referees B. Vassallo, N. RIncon, F. Ciurariu.
STARLITES REVIVE 91
ATHLETA ATOZ 73
(19-14, 25-19, 24-18, 23-22)
Starlites advanced to the Shield final with a convincing victory over Athleta, built on a disciplined performance from coach Paul Ferrante’s roster.
Jackson Threadgill led the team’s scoring with 22 points as Jayden Iturmendi put up a 15-points, 10-rebound double-double. Alec Felice Pace, who captained the side, followed with 14 points.
For Athleta, Wesley Jordan was immense despite the defeat, amassing 33 points and 19 rebounds, but lacked sustained help as Starlites’ collective execution proved too efficient to contain.
Felice Pace opened proceedings with two early three-pointers in between a mid-range jumpshot from Matthew Scerri, as the Naxxar side raced to a quick start, answered only by Jordan’s inside presence for Athleta.
Threadgill’s dunk off a turnover ignited the bench before adding another score from deep and Musa Jallow extended the advantage with sharp perimeter shooting.
Jordan and Duane Goodman kept Athleta afloat with powerful finishes under the rim, but Jallow’s late triple closed the first quarter 19-14 in favour of Starlites.
The latter accelerated in the second rubber.
Ian Felice Pace’s three-pointer triggered a wave of transition baskets as Iturmendi,
Threadgill, Scerri, and Travis Fee combined for a 14–0 run that blew the game open at 32-14. Jordan continued to fight back with strong drives and a long-range effort, yet Starlites maintained control through disciplined defence and fast breaks, leading 44-33 at half-time.
Athleta attempted to rally after the change of ends through contributions from Marcus Duffy and Luca Borg, but Starlites’ ball circulation kept the tempo high.
Threadgill and Iturmendi found success attacking the paint, while Alec Felice Pace punished defensive lapses from deep. By the end of the third quarter, the gap had widened to 68–51, with Fabri adding momentum through a three-point play.
Any hopes of an Athleta comeback vanished early in the fourth. Iturmendi’s three-point play was swiftly followed by Threadgill’s turnaround jumper as Starlites dominated both pace and possession.
Ian Felice Pace’s confident shooting and Threadgill’s relentless finishing sealed the result despite Jordan’s late scoring efforts. Borg’s and Andrej Bozanic’s closing baskets offered scant consolation as Starlites cruised to victory.
STARLITES REVIVE A. Felice Pace 14, K. Fabri, T. Fee 7, A. Aquilina 2, I. Felice Pace 9, M. Fabri 6, M. Scerri 8, J. Iturmendi 15, J. Threadgill 22, M. Jallow 8.
ATHLETA ATOZ K. Fabri 2, M. Duffy 9, S. Ebelashvili 4, R. Vitale 4, I. Bonett 2, D. Goodman 4, M. Spiteri 4, A. Bozanic 2, I. Medved 2, L. Borg 7, J. Cefai, W. Jordan 33.
Referees Z. Dobrosaviljevic, A. Attard, J. Siefert.
