In a high-stakes John Tabone Shield final at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion, Hibernians outlasted Luxol 94-86 to claim their first title of the season, with Hibs point guard Derek Brown leading the charge in an intense, fast-paced contest. Fans witnessed the resilience and determination of both teams, but Hibernians’ tenacious defence and late-game composure proved decisive in their victory.
Reflecting on his team’s grit, Coach Christian Narciso praised the Hibernians’ collective spirit.
“You can see on the court my guys are tough, they are playing defence with their heart,” he told Malta Basketball.
“In the last quarter, they decided the game without any instruction from me. They just found out on their own: they played together, trusted each other and played tough defence – that’s the biggest victory for me.”
Narciso, who previously coached Mellieha Libertas, returned to Malta and joined Hibernians with high aspirations over the summer.
“We want to win everything. We had the example of Starlites last year – we want to follow their example. So that’s what we’re aiming for,” he emphasised, setting the tone for a season of championship ambition.
The game on Sunday unfolded as a thrilling display of Maltese basketball, with Hibernians initially grabbing an early lead before Luxol mounted a comeback to edge ahead by halftime. But it was in the fourth quarter that Narciso’s clan found their rhythm, ignited by Brown’s precise shooting and Ivan Demcesen’s crucial second-chance points. Luxol, fighting back, were dealt a setback when key player Nathan Xuereb fouled out after a stunning 20-point performance, leaving them vulnerable to Hibs’ final push.
For Brown, who led all scorers with 36 points, the victory was a result of focused preparation.
“I was mentally locked in. I get up at 6AM and put in my shots just so that we could be ready for today,” he shared with Malta Basketball, reflecting on his dedication.
“When Hibs came and got me, I heard we hadn’t won a Shield in about two or three years, so we were determined to definitely get this one.”
The Shield final also showcased a high level of Maltese talent, with Matthew Gouder and Nathan Xuereb emerging as standout performers, as they both finished the game with 20 points after impressive shooting on the day. Gouder, in his first final as a Hibs player since joining from Athleta over the summer, contributed with efficient scoring and strong defence, while Xuereb’s early three-pointers were critical in keeping Luxol in the game.
When Mellieha disbanded over the summer, most of their players found a new home at other clubs, with Tedrick Wolfe heading to Hibs and Vukasin Jandric moving to Luxol. The former Libertas duo delivered top-drawer performances for their respective side on Sunday, as Wolfe went home with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Jandric shot 80% from three-point range for a final 16-point total.
Competitive nature
Narciso highlighted the competitive nature of this season, noting that with Mellieha’s players joining different teams, the league is as tough as ever.
“It’s like all of the teams can be in the first four. I see a really tough competition but it’s also more satisfying when you win finals like this.”
On Sunday, both teams displayed tactical depth, with Hibernians capitalising on fast breaks and points in the paint, while Luxol demonstrated resilience in second-chance opportunities.
Despite the defeat, Luxol will also be ones to take many positives from their Shield run. Unlike last season, the Pembroke-based side look like a solid outfit this season under coach Duncan Fenech and the dynamic duo of Howard and Caleb Jones McCrary has surely shown there is added character to their team.
In fact, while last season, their Shield campaign lasted just two defeats, this year, the Violets have gone unbeaten until the final which suggests the team requires simply that pinch of added experience together to keep up their formidable showing in the business end. Nevertheless, it looks like Luxol will be one of the challengers for the season’s honours, especially with the likes of Malta international Xuereb now boosted by the team’s new additions and the re-emergence of Stefan Cappello who has become a dominant presence for the team.
As Hibernians bask in their Shield victory, however, the message is clear: this team is determined to dominate Maltese basketball this season. With seasoned players and renewed determination, Hibernians have set a high bar, leaving supporters eager for more finals.
