Hibernians preserved their place at the top of the BOV Division One standings on Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion with a composed win over The Plaza Depiro, maintaining pace with fellow leaders Starlites Revive, who delivered a dominant display against Athleta AtoZ.
Luxol Sherries Estates also returned to winning ways, overcoming Valletta Dream to draw level with Depiro in the table.
THE PLAZA DEPIRO 92
HIBERNIANS 112
(22-34, 24-28, 26-23, 20-27)
Hibernians secured a decisive victory over Depiro in a high-tempo contest shaped by long scoring runs. Depiro produced strong individual displays but struggled to contain Hibs’ pace.
American duo Cameron Cornelius and Trevon Reddish Rhone led the Mtarfa side with consistent driving and perimeter shooting for 34 and 31 points, respectively.
Yet The Paolites’ collective strength told throughout the game.
Deonte Jackson dictated large stretches with confident scoring for 31 points, while Ivan Demcesen was at his usual best, dominating at both ends for a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Elijah Simmons added 19 with a 75% three-point percentage.
Depiro took first charge as Reddish Rhone attacked the rim twice between a layup from Hibernians’ Ayomide Ajiboye. Demcesen, however, overturned the early advantage with four straight points.
Cornelius briefly restored Depiro’s lead with a three-pointer and a layup before Jackson shifted the momentum for an extended run that carried Hibs to a clear first-quarter lead at 34-22.
Depiro looked to regroup early in the second quarter, with Nikola Bozovic scoring confidently from drives and a three-pointer.
Cornelius added another long-range effort, yet Demcesen’s efforts maintained the Paolites’ control. Piotr Stelmach’s steady scoring ensured they reached half-time up by 16.
Cornelius and Reddish Rhone tried to lift Depiro after the break with a triple and a mid-range finishes, but Hibs issued an immediate answer.
Jackson pushed the pace, Demcesen worked effectively on the offensive board and Stefan Simic struck a key three-pointer.
Although Cornelius and Bozovic kept scoring, Christian Narciso’s side held firm to stay in control ahead of the final rubber.
Alessio Trapani opened the fourth with a smooth three-pointer, and usual suspects Cornelius and Bozovic added further points, but Hibs continued to execute with clarity.
Jackson’s close-range plays, Demcesen’s persistence under the rim prevented any late shift before Simmons hit twice from deep to make sure of the win.
THE PLAZA DEPIRO S. Galea 7, T. Reddish Rhone 31, L. Stefanovic 3, JP Schembri, A. Trapani 3, S. Kenely, C. Cornelius 34, N. Bozovic 14.
HIBERNIANS N. Cassar 6, E. Simmons 19, A. Ajiboye 16, L. Attard, P. Stelmach 10, V. Kustudja, D. Jackson 31, M. Attard 2, T. Gjurovski, I. Demcesen 22, S. Simic 6.
Referees G. Barbara, W. Lim, M. De Flavia.
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES 100
VALLETTA DREAM 83
(21-14, 30-33, 15-22, 34-14)
Luxol produced a powerful fourth-quarter surge to defeat Valletta in an otherwise balanced contest that swung repeatedly before the Violets asserted control late on.
Nathan Xuereb led the way for Luxol with an outstanding scoring display that saw him finish the afternoon with 30 points while Burke Smith delivered crucial inside presence at both ends for a 21-points 19-rebounds double-double.
Dominic Tomasi added steady support with another double-double as he netted 13 points and 17 rebounds. Miguel Brincat and Jayden Johnson rounded up the double-digit scorers for coach Duncan Fenech’s clan with 12 points each.
At the other end, Valletta’s Eugene Campbell led the game with 38 points in yet another high-scoring for the Capital Club’s import. Kieron Caruana and Tyler Murray followed with 15 points each.
The opening exchanges were tightly contested.
Johnson and Campbell traded early baskets before Xuereb and Brincat lifted Luxol with composed shooting.
Smith added two strong second-chance finishes as Luxol built a narrow lead, though Caruana’s three-pointer kept Valletta within range at the first break as the two teams had seven points to fight over in the second quarter.
Early in the next quarter, Johnson extended the advantage with free throws and a well-timed three-pointer, but Valletta countered through Caruana, who sparked a swift run featuring back-to-back triples and a tip-in for a solo run of nine points.
The Violets finally stopped this takeover with a Stefan Cappello layup with Smith, Tomasi, Xuereb and Brincat adding important scores to secure a slim four-point halftime lead at 51-47.
The third rubber brought further swings. Murray and Campbell pushed Valletta ahead briefly, yet Xuereb and Smith reasserted Luxol’s rhythm before Brincat struck again from deep. Tomasi’s late layup kept Luxol narrowly in front entering the final stretch.
The decisive phase belonged to Luxol. Xuereb took command with a flowing sequence of drives, jump shots and three-pointers, supported by Tomasi’s composed finishes and Smith’s work in the paint. Brincat and Isaac Azzopardi added further long-range strikes as Luxol widened the gap, closing out an assured win built on stamina and a dominant final quarter.
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES A. Azzopardi 5, I. Azzopardi 3, N. Xuereb 30, J. Johnson 12, M. Brincat 12, D. Tomasi 13, B. Smith 21, S. Cappello 4, S. Marra.
VALLETTA DREAM N. Grech, F. Mifsud Bonnici 5, K. Caruana 15, E. Campbell 38, S. Vincic 6, T. Murray 15, C. Penaloza 2, M. Rieger 2.
Referees T. Rincon, F. Ciurariu, M. De Flavia.
STARLITES REVIVE 123
ATHLETA ATOZ 69
(27-17, 29-22, 34-11, 33-19)
Starlites delivered a dominant performance to overpower Athleta in a one-sided contest defined by pace, sharp perimeter shooting and control of the boards.
Athleta worked to stay competitive early on, but as the game progressed, Starlites’ depth and accuracy created an impossible advantage.
Jackson Threadgill was outstanding throughout, his combination of outside shooting with close-range finishes leading him to a 40-point finish, making his defensive effort count with a rebound shy of a double-double.
Travis Fee and Miguel Fabri added efficient contributions with 19 and 17 points, respectively, with both players finishing with over 50% shooting from three-point range.
Athleta were led by the efforts of Wesley Jordan and youngster Michelangelo Spiteri who put up 13 and 12 respectively.
Juan Garcia Cefai rounded off the double-digit scorers with 10 but overall, the team struggled to match Starlites’ rhythm, especially as turnovers fed fastbreak opportunities.
Starlites set the tone early with an opening three from Ian Felice Pace before Threadgill and Fee added long-range shots to establish a quick lead in between two Robert Vitale layups.
Starlites continued to apply pressure through second-chance finishes from Alec Felice Pace and Fee.
A late three from Miguel Fabri pushed Starlites into a strong first-quarter advantage at 27-17.
The second rubber followed a similar pattern.
Threadgill struck twice from deep, Fee added another long-range effort and Alec Felice Pace dropped a smooth pull-up jumper as Starlites extended their lead.
Athleta earned trips to the line through Spiteri and Jordan and produced occasional interior finishes, but Starlites reached the break 17 points ahead.
After the change of ends, Starlites took full control.
Threadgill piled on points with a series of threes and transition finishes, while Jallow showcased his athleticism with a dunk and Fabri and Matthew Scerri added further perimeter scoring as the gap rocketed to 40.
The final quarter proved just a formality but Starlites were in no mood for stopping. Fabri opened with another three and coach Paul Ferrante’s clan continued to steamroll past a depleted Athleta until the final buzzer.
STARLITES REVIVE A. Felice Pace 16, K. Fabri 3, T. Fee 19, G. Camilleri 2, I. Felice Pace 3, M. Fabri 17, Z. Said Hollier, M. Scerri 8, J. Iturmendi 7, J. Threadgill 40, M. Jallow 8, K. Fabri 9.
ATHLETA ATOZ R. Vitale 6, I. Bonett 5, D. Goodman 8, M. Spiteri 12, L. Borg 6, W. Jordan 13, J. Cefai 10.
Referees Z. Dobrosvailjevic, L. Silvera, N. Da Silva.
STANDINGS
Starlites Revive, Hibernians 8; The Plaza Depiro, Luxol Sherries Estates 6; Valletta Dream, Athleta AtoZ 4.
