Recap

Athleta got the first win of the new league campaign on Sunday as they started on the right foot with an important win against Hibernians at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

Athleta had been looking for their second win of the new season after their only victory – a 100+ points performance against Mellieha Libertas that led only to temporary celebrations due to them having been eliminated in the John Tabone Shield. However, on Day One of the new league campaign, they took the spoils against Hibs immediately.

Hibernians’ Nick Vasovic hit first to open proceedings with a mid-range shot. Matthew Gouder replied with one of his own to equalise before Malik Riddle headed to the hoop to give Athleta the lead. From then on, Athleta’s defence kicked in as they kept Hibs’ shots away and, in turn, opened a gap in the lead.

Hibs pushed to close the margin and had the final bucket with a Dajuan Moorer goaltend from a Calvin Whipple layup, but Athleta were up by seven at the first buzzer.

Mason Hix hit first from deep at the start of the second quarter, but Riddle, the only player in double digits so far in the game, replied with a three-ball of his own before making the most of a halfcourt steal to speed away for a fastbreak score.

Athleta looked the more composed side on the court and, with solid defence, pushed the gap to double digits after a Moorer score. Piotr Stelmach continued to stretch Athleta’s lead with an and-one play, but Luke Farrugia finally hit back for Hibs.

In the final minutes of the first half, the Paolites began to drive harder into the lane and managed to get into the bonus with 1.20 to go, but Athleta were 14 points ahead by the break.

Hix opened the second half with a three-pointer, but Athleta remained the stronger side, eventually widening the gap midway through the third quarter and resting ahead of the final rubber up by 16 points.

Just like all the previous quarters, Hibs hit first in the fourth quarter through a Whipple three-ball but it was Athleta who scored next as Riddle hit the 30-point mark with a minute and a half gone.

The Gzira side were 14 points ahead but faced a late setback after an unsportsmanlike foul from Francesco Mifsud Bonnici on Whipple saw him get ejected with 3.39 to go in the game. While the latter scored from the technical freethrow, he asked to be replaced soon after to see to his apparent back pain and his game was over as well.

By then, there was not much Hibs could do to salvage the game, but Hix and Matthew Attard both hit from deep to bring it down to 11 points before the final buzzer.