Day: July 12, 2024

Malta Ballers place third in Torino Cup

Malta Ballers – a team of Malta-based Filipino players shined as they won third place at the inaugural edition of the Torino Cup last week.

The Torino Cup, a tournament bringing together eight teams consisting of Filipino players was originally introduced for teams based in Italy, but the Maltese team managed to participate as the only non-Italy-based team in the tournament on Sunday.

The Malta Ballersplaced third at the Torino Cup.
Malta Ballers placed third in the inaugural edition of the Torino Cup.

Taking part were Trese Hudas and SHC One from Turin, eventual winners 22 Marzo and Yolo representing Milan, Darat Boys of Bologna and Reggio Emilia.

Participation was just the first thing on the Malta Ballers’ agenda as they pushed past their opposition throughout the one-day tournament, only missing out on a place in the final with defeat in the semis against Reggio Emilia.

The Malta Ballers team brought together a set of players led by Jhun Jhun Lisondra, who was on the books of BOV Division One side Valletta Fighters last season.

The organising team of the Torino Cup.

Lisondra showed his mettle to win Player of the Game twice throughout the season, with Keith Soi Micaller also bagging the accolade once himself.

Speaking to Malta Basketball, the team expressed its appreciation towards the Torino Cup organisers, praising the fact that even in its first edition, teams were allowed to take part without paying for registration and the top three teams were given cash prizes.

MALTA BALLERS ROSTER

Jhunjhun Lisondra, El Jan Gargueña, Bonito Basa, Keith Soi Micaller, Tristan Mendoza, Neil Marco Hilario Madla, Lawrence Layug, John Bryan Virtucio, Dave Constantino, Sean Andrei Mendoza.

Felice Pace set to join Recklinghausen in German Regionalliga 1 West

Starlites captain Alec Felice Pace is set to become the next Maltese abroad after putting pen to paper on a deal with German Regionalliga 1 West side Citybasket Recklinghausen in the coming days.

The Malta international guard who has been one of the biggest names in Maltese basketball these past few years, will now be trying his luck overseas in Germany’s fourth tier on a professional contract. Sources close to negotiations have told Malta Basketball that the 26-year-old should be flying out to complete his move next week.

Felice Pace takes with him the momentum of having lifted four domestic trophies last season. Throughout the campaign in which he played 22 games, he averaged 16.2 points a game across all local competitions as Starlites completed a historic quadruple under coach Paul Ferrante. 

The speedy guard who is a nightmare for the opposition on fastbreaks was also a leading assist-maker for Starlites, averaging 5.2 per game. On defence, he grabbed 8.9 rebounds while stealing the ball twice per game.

Now he heads to a Recklinghausen side which will be hoping for better fortune this coming season after a troubled campaign in the league, finishing in the penultimate spot of the standings with an 8-16 record. 

Sticking with the white kit as was the case at Starlites, Felice Pace will be aiming to provide enough value to convince coach Dhnesch Kubendrarajah as he now competes for a position in the starting five with current point guard Niklas Meesmann who was last season’s most utilised player on the roster.

This move spells further transfer planning for Starlites coach Ferrante ahead of the club’s journey into FIBA Europe Cup qualifying, with fellow guard Matt Attard also leaving the club earlier this month. While both club and player would have preferred the move happening after the qualifiers, club sources emphasised that Starlites would in no way hinder such an opportunity for its players.