New Hibernians coach Christian Narciso has had a baptism of fire with his new club with the Italian’s first test of the summer being a tough pre-season fixture against the USA Select team on Wednesday.
At the Ta’ Qali Pavilion, the Paolites put on a strong performance, but could not match the energy and athleticism brought by the team of American players who are currently in Malta for the Elite Basketball Preseason Tournament.
Speaking to Malta Basketball, Narciso, who returned to Malta after an absence of one season where he was an assistant coach in the Italian Serie B with Orlandina Basket, said it was not his initial intention to return to coach just yet.
“Well, first of all, I came back for personal reasons because I moved here with my wife so I didn’t come here for coaching this year,” Narciso said.
“I wanted to take a year off but then Hibernians contacted me after they parted away with the previous coach and then I saw the project and it was interesting.”
Narciso joins the team after his experience with Mellieha Libertas, who dropped out of the senior divisions over the summer. With Libertas, Narciso had lifted the Louis Borg Cup and will be hoping to replicate this trophy-winning run with the Paolites as he revealed he had agreed to a multi-year contract in August.
“We actually have a deal for more years and it makes sense that we’re going together because we have the same philosophy on that.”
Summer tests
With the new season right around the corner, Hibs will be hoping to get into gear quickly to ensure a bright start to this coming campaign in Division One.
On Wednesday, the team showcased a number of their new signings, with Derek Brown and Matthew Gouder making their unofficial debut as Hibs players as they await the arrival of import player Tedrick Wolfe. Added to that was Miguel Mallia as Malta Basketball can confirm, the former Depiro player has joined the club on loan for the coming season. Meanwhile, Malta Basketball can also confirm the departure of Billy Joel Zammit to Athleta with both Mallia and Zammit having already suited up for their new clubs this week.
Asked about their first test, a 111-69 defeat to the USA Select, Narciso believes it was a tough start but he lauded his players’ efforts after just three weeks of training.
“Well, of course, it’s been difficult, you know 12 Americans to face it’s a little bit tough for us but we knew that it was going to be like this,” he admitted.
“Actually I’m pretty happy about some stuff that we have been working on. Of course, the result says otherwise but that comes afterwards, so that’s what I said also to my guys – it’s fine because we’re working now it’s three weeks I believe, so not that long we’re still on route to getting better, to get rid of some bad habits, and to build new ones.”
