Starlites have been crowned winners of the BOV Basketball 1st Division Knockout Competition 2026 following an intense week of single-elimination action that delivered high drama and no second chances.
The final, played at the National Basketball Pavilion in Taโ Qali, saw Starlites defeat Hibernians 93-83 to secure the title.
Starlites held a 51โ43 lead at halftime after a closely contested first half. Hibernians came out strongly after the break, erasing much of the deficit within two minutes to narrow the gap to 53โ51. However, Starlites quickly regained composure and rebuilt their advantage, heading into the final quarter with a 71โ64 lead.
The fourth quarter produced a flurry of scoring. Hibernians threatened a comeback through Ivan Demcesenโs three-point play and further baskets from Attard, Simmons and Ajiboke. Each time, however, Starlites responded. A timely three-pointer restored breathing space, ThreadGill added a powerful dunk, and Felice Pace struck from beyond the arc to widen the gap.
Musa Jallow then took control of the contest. His alleyoop finishes, relentless drives to the rim and repeated visits to the free-throw line kept Starlites firmly in command. Although Hibernians stayed within reach thanks to Gouderโs perimeter shooting and late free throws, Starlites maintained their edge. Two further alleyoop connections involving Jallow effectively sealed the victory. Demcesen scored the final basket of the night, but it proved little more than consolation.
Jallow finished with 25 points and was named MVP, earning a commemorative plaque in recognition of his decisive performance in the closing stages.
Following the game, the BOV Basketball 1st Division Knockout Trophy was presented to the champions by Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at Bank of Valletta, and Paul Sultana, President of the Malta Basketball Association, highlighting the strong partnership between BOV and Maltese basketball.
Held between 30 January and 10 February 2026, this yearโs Knockout Competition once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most anticipated events on the local basketball calendar, showcasing intense rivalries, competitive spirit and high-level execution.
Sports Editor
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