Elusive championship spurs on Chibba

Featured image: Dan Cowley | @imagesby_dan

Alex Ciabattoni continues to play the best basketball of her life since welcoming son EJ into the world but it's winning a championship for the first time as a mother that is driving the West Adelaide Bearcats NBL1 Central star.

Ciabattoni gave birth to son EJ back in January 2023 and at that point she had no idea if physically she would be able to get back to playing at a high level again or again if she mentally would be able to flick that switch to do that as a mother.

She had taken a coaching role in the NBL1 West at the South West Slammers but then as she started to feel physically better, she eased herself back into playing, re-signed at the Perth Lynx in the WNBL for that 2023/24 season and it's been nothing but up since.

She played an important on that Lynx team that made a Grand Final and then played at the Cockburn Cougars in the NBL1 West and went agonisingly close of a championship before losing to the Rockingham Flames.

But there's little doubt had Cockburn won, she would have been Grand Final MVP, and then Ciabattoni on the back of being named to the All-First Team before another strong WNBL25 campaign at the Lynx with 7.0 points, 3.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds.

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Ciabattoni then had another standout NBL1 West season this time with the team that she lost the Grand Final to in 2024, Rockingham, but also back at the club she won a championship with in 2019 and ended up playing under Lynx coach Ryan Petrik as well.

All that led to the best season of her life in the WNBL in the most recent campaign at the Lynx where she had 14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game which saw her named to the All-Second Team and end up runner-up as Lynx MVP to Anneli Maley.

The only problem was it led to more Grand Final heartbreak with the series loss to the Townsville Fire adding to the two previous WNBL losses she'd been part of and then in the West at Cockburn in 2024 thrown in.

So while Ciabbatoni had never played better basketball herself, she has had enough of being on the runner-up side of things come Grand Final time and hopes that changes this Saturday at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre when the Bearcats take on the Sturt Sabres.

The Sabres themselves won't be short on motivation given they are playing a fourth Grand Final in five years and are yet to break through, but Ciabattoni doesn’t need to think of anyone else's motivation to win when she has so much herself.

And given her recent Grand Final, she's definitely not taking anything for granted.

"I'm not sure anyone is more desperate than me to win won, so I definitely understand how they feel," Ciabattoni said.

"We know they are a strong opponent and they would have been preparing hard for us but we are extremely excited. I think they have played hard all year so it's great to have the two best teams there.

"We have been good this season but i believe it's because we are one of the hardest working teams. Training is always competitive and the vibes are positive. Going into the game this week i know we have done everything we can to prepare."

A Grand Final always looked likely

Coming off her WNBL season with the Lynx that was the best of her career, Ciabattoni remained in Perth at the start of NBL1 in 2026 and resumed playing for the defending Cockburn Cougars.

They didn’t lose in the six games she played either where she 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game, but then she was ready to spend some time back home in Adelaide knowing she'd have to return to Perth again in preparation for WNBL27.

So Ciabattoni went from one undefeated team to another by joining West Adelaide in the NBL1 Central and has gone on to deliver 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals with the Bearcats finishing three games clear on top and then winning straight to the Grand Final.

Whether she was still playing at Cockburn or West Adelaide, it did appear a Grand Final was the likely outcome, but Ciabattoni will never take an opportunity for granted after a hectic 2026.

"It's been a whirlwind, it's been so much fun and I have got to meet and play with some incredible people which is always a win," Ciabattoni said.

"I never want to take the opportunity to play in a grand final for granted and to achieve this at West is definitely exciting.

"We have just a great team who make playing so enjoyable so I'm excited to make the Grand Final with them.

"And as for Cockburn they have had such a great season, so I'm so glad I got to play a part in it."

Never enjoyed playing more

Ciabattoni always did enjoy playing basketball before, but she's now so much more appreciative of being able to do it now as a mother because there was never any guarantees she'd get back to play at NBL1 or WNBL level let alone now playing the best basketball of her life.

She's not quite sure what the secret is to how she only continues to get better the older son EJ gets, but she's sure going to keep making the most of it.

"I definitely am enjoying it so much more now!" Ciabattoni said.

"Being a mother has just given me a new perspective and made me appreciate playing so much more and reignited my love for the game.

"Having EJ by my side and training and games just makes me want to try harder and show him what his mum can do!"

Hoping for fond farewell to Adelaide

Once Ciabattoni is done with the season at West Adelaide which might still including staying in Adelaide for the National Finals should the Grand Final turn out in their favour, she'll be heading straight back to Perth.

Ciabattoni is locked into another season with the Lynx which she is excited to get stuck into preparing for.

"I am excited to be back with the Lynx and the girls, we have such an incredible group of people and I love the club so I can't wait to be back on court with everyone," Ciabattoni said.

"Last year was such an incredible season and to fall just short was heartbreaking but also has given me so much hope that with a few adjustments we can get there again!"

Maybe one last curve ball

It might still be decidedly unlucky and might not actually be feasible, but you never know, maybe Ciabattoni will ask the question of Cockburn wants her for the NBL1 West Grand Final at RAC Arena next Saturday night too should they make it.

"Look i will never say no, it's not something I have looked too hard into but if there is a way and Cockburn will have me it's not a no!" she said.