Day: September 29, 2024

Lesson learnt says Ferrante after ‘stage-fright’ quarter in Larnaca ahead of return to local game

Malta champions Starlites ended their run in the FIBA Europe Cup on Friday after a second defeat to Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta in Larnaca. Two days later, the Naxxar side will be back on the Ta’ Qali court to open the new season with the MBA Super Cup. 

Speaking to Malta Basketball, Starlites coach Paul Ferrante said it was a learning experience for himself and the team and an eye-opener to the reality of European basketball.

“I believe the thing that made the most difference and what was most mentioned by our players and the president watching from the stands was their physicality and contact. We are not used to playing with so much contact off the ball and with point guards who take on all the pressure,” Ferrante said.

“They had many physiologically capable players. However, having said that, when one sees that we were at times eight points or less away in a game in which we had a terrible start, I believe that with maybe two more weeks of practice together, we would have done better. That first quarter was like stage fright for us as when you watch it again, you’d see we found a lot of the options we had to find and we did many things well, but we just didn’t finish them off.

“When you consider that there was the lucky loser rule and we missed qualification by eight points, we felt it even more. But it would have been a growing experience as the teams we would have come against are tougher.”

It is no secret that with the local league allowing only two import players on the court at any given time, having five import players on the team’s payroll would have been redundant and while all five players will be available for Sunday’s game, the next week will determine the future of the five imports brought over during summer. Ferrante said that while it is not 100% just yet, the initial decision was for Trevon Reddish Rhone, Max Curran, and Joe Davis to stay on for the 24/25 Division One season, while Carson Newsome and Kolten Mortensen depart after the Europe Cup.

“There are a number of factors which go into this which are not necessarily related to the individual player, but more about team chemistry,” he said.

Asked about the debut performance of new local signing Andrew Aquilina, Ferrante said he was very happy with how the former Depiro captain performed.

“I’m very happy with Andrew (Aquilina). He didn’t play the first game solely because as a 35-year-old, we wanted to save him for the second game as he can provide hassle for their point guard and defend the ball handlers. At the same time, we could distribute minutes to local players as well.

“But now that we have the Super Cup final so close, we are keeping them all and deal with that next week. Considering the fact that we have such a game after two days, at least we can use this unpredictability to our advantage in terms of the game-day roster. 

“[Aquilina] was a crucial signing and the fact we have another Maltese player for tomorrow who has had running time in Europe as well is helpful. I know he is a team player, who gives his all on the court and is very disciplined, so I’m very happy with him.”

Starlites now face a largely changed Depiro side on Sunday and Ferrante said it would be impossible to say what they can expect from their opponents.

“I would be lying if I said I’m expecting anything in particular as Depiro are practically a new team – new coach, a team that used to revolve around (Kameron) Rooks and now Rooks is not there anymore – they’re a different team so it will be a game of adjustments,” he explained.

“Having said that, every team coached by Sasa Dimitrijevic has always been well organised and when he was here before we had many great games so I was very happy to see him return as his ideas will continue to help the level increase.”

With less than 48 hours from the team’s arrival back in Malta, it goes without saying that match-fitness will be a concern but the Starlites coach believes the rotation they played in Larnaca was considerate of Sunday’s game.

“I’ve just put our players in Revive’s ice baths to help their recovery,” he joked.

“The fact we had more imports helped us to avoid overplaying our locals, who got the right experience and playing time nonetheless. So, hopefully, a one-day recovery should be enough to get us back. Getting back right after a game could be positive as well – everyone is still locked in.”

While Starlites will have that import factor as a weapon on Sunday, Ferrante did give one away as the side will likely be without Max Curran who is out sick.

‘It’s up to us to show our work’ says Depiro coach Dimitrijevic ahead of Super Cup

Depiro enters this new season’s Super Cup final a changed team after numerous updates over the summer – from administration and branding, to a new coach and several new players. Now, new coach Sasa Dimitrijevic believes it’s time to show what the team has worked for.

Speaking to Malta Basketball ahead of the clash on Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion, Dimitrijevic, who was appointed head coach in July, said the club enters the new campaign with a ‘new vision’.

“Depiro enters this year with a new team, a new coach, new goals and a new vision,” the North Macedonian said.

“We’ve only been working for a month and a half, and our biggest problem is that we haven’t played a single friendly game. In contrast to our opponent, who played the qualifiers for the FIBA Europe Cup this year – This is very good experience.”

Depiro will play in the final after what Dimitrijevic called a ‘gift’ as the Mtarfa-based team finished as Knockout runners-up and playoff semifinalists against Mellieha Libertas, who despite finishing the season as beaten finalists, decided to opt out of the new season this summer. 

On the other hand, Starlites are on the back of a European debut following an impressive season which saw them lift every domestic trophy possible. The Depiro coach called Starlites favourites for the tie while urging his team to show what they’ve worked on.

“Starlites is the favourite tomorrow: they have a good team, a good coach and continuity of work for many years,” he said, “it is up to us to show how we worked in this preparation period. 

“I hope it will be a good game and I would like to see a lot of people in the gym.”

Asked about the addition of local duo David Bugeja and Luca Stefanovic, the Depiro coach believes they have fit in perfectly within the team

“I worked with Luca at Athleta and David is the best Maltese player. Both of them are great people and great players.”

Depiro will be heading into the game with a full squad as all players are confirmed to be available with Dimitrijevic remarking that: “Everything is in the best order and all the players are looking forward to tomorrow’s game. I believe that everyone will give their maximum.”

Luxol coach Vella targeting strong start in Super Cup showdown

The curtain raiser of the new season is here with Caffe Moak Luxol and Depiro facing off the Women’s Super Cup on Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

The fixture which pits against each other last season’s playoff finalists brings to the court double winners Luxol who lifted the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League and the John Tabone Shield against Knockout winners Depiro. However, both teams have undergone a summer of changes with new players and promotions to their respective youth coaches towards a role as senior team coaches this season.

Speaking to Malta Basketball, Luxol women’s coach Roderick Vella said the game will be a “good test to measure our ambitions” as the club continues to focus on youth development.

“The Super Cup final tomorrow is a good test to measure our ambitions for the season,” Vella said. We face a Depiro side that held on to their core players and added an import who is also of a very good level. They have a new coach too that will bring new ideas and more energy to the team. 

“We aim to give our best in every game and try to win as many games as possible starting tomorrow.  A final like tomorrow is also a very important part of the growth of our young players.

“For the club, it is also important that we keep on challenging for silverware to keep the club’s status in the local game.”

The Malta women’s youth coach will be taking over the helms of the Luxol senior team as former mentor Santino Coppa who in the past years had been an icon among the local community with regards to women’s basketball. The Italian, who has since returned to Sicily after more than a decade in Malta produced a moment of magic in last season’s playoffs with his team down 2-0 against a solid Depiro side, turning the tie around and winning the league title after Game Five.

Vella believes he has tough shoes to fill but will continue to focus on the improvement of the team in the same manner as he makes his debut on the team’s sidelines on Sunday.

“This will be the start of a new experience for me and the team,” Vella said. 

“Filling the shoes of a mentor like Santino (Coppa) is not easy but in agreement with the club, this season we will push even more the development of our youth players to continue their improvement even in the senior league.  

“It’s been quite a short pre-season considering that most players were with the senior and youth national teams this summer and needed a resting period, but we worked hard over these past 4 weeks to try and be ready in the best way for the game tomorrow.”

While the team was able to prepare with their new import player Brandy Huffhines, the team will be missing key player Shanice Farrugia, who had an impressive season during the last campaign. Farrugia suffered an ACL injury during Malta youth commitments over the summer and will be missing the season. On Sunday, Luxol will also be missing Sarah Sciberras, who like Farrugia endured an ankle injury during her time with the Youth National Team. Malta international Josephine Diaby is now available to play on Sunday after recovering from an injury herself.