Recap

Hibernians secured a commanding victory over Tigers BT in Sunday’s BOV Men’s Division One fixture, with coach Christian Narciso’s decision to rest key import players and provide minutes to younger talent paying off handsomely. Tigers BT, missing their own import Matthew Brown, showed glimpses of resilience but were overwhelmed by Hibernians’ consistent pace and scoring depth.

The first quarter saw Hibernians storm to an early lead, driven by Matthew Attard and Matthew Gouder. Gouder’s nine-point burst, including two three-pointers, set the tone as Hibernians dominated in transition. Neil Cassar added a fast-break dunk to cap the quarter, giving Hibernians a 32-14 advantage.

In the second quarter, the Tigers attempted to claw their way back. Keith Micaller and Jhun Jhun Lisondra both scored from the line and beyond the arc, trimming the deficit to 14 points midway through. However, Hibernians regrouped quickly, with Gouder continuing to shine and Luke Attard adding a three-pointer off a turnover. By halftime, Hibernians extended their lead to 55-32, capitalising on turnovers and strong second-chance opportunities.

The third quarter highlighted Hibernians’ versatility. Cassar’s acrobatic dunks energised his side, while Gouder and Miguel Mallia contributed crucial points in the paint. Despite Tigers BT debutant Darryl Pisani and Lisondra hitting mid-range jumpers, Hibernians maintained their grip on the game as the quarter ended 84-51.

In the final rubber, Hibernians showed no signs of relenting. Matthew Attard delivered consistently, adding another three-pointer to his tally, while Teo Gjurovski capitalised on turnovers with efficient inside scoring. Meanwhile, Tigers import Serge Hamparsoumian emerged as a standout, scoring 14 points in the final stretch, showcasing creativity in the paint and resilience on fast breaks. Despite his heroics, the deficit proved insurmountable.