As Maltese clubs prepare for the 2024/25 basketball season, the many changes made over the summer will be in full focus in two months’ time after the Malta Basketball Association (MBA) made its draw for the new campaign last week.
With an official start date of September 29 with the Super Cup finals for men and women, a trio of leagues will pit against each other seven teams in the BOV Division One, six teams in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League, and seven more teams in the BOV Amateur League.
Following the Super Cup fixtures, the league campaign begins for Division One on October 3, with the John Tabone Shield tipping off during the following week. The MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League will begin in November after the Shield. Later on, in February, teams will compete for the second cup competition of the season when they battle for the Knockout.
The MBA drew the initial Men’s Knockout draws on Thursday where they pitted against each other six teams as Hibernians were awarded a bye.
Malta champions Starlites will be aiming for anything close to what they achieved last season, as they defend their crown in all domestic competitions, starting off with the Super Cup where they are set to face last season’s Knockout finalists Depiro. Paul Ferrante’s clan have since upgraded their squad despite the loss of captain Alec Felice Pace, bringing in fresh faces for their debut in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers and their return to the local league.
They face Depiro after three successive finals against Mellieha Libertas who have opted out of the coming season. Instead, they will come against a Depiro side in transition this coming campaign as they have made changes in all departments of the club. Sasha Dimitrijevic now leads the team as head coach, while a number of new players have made their way from rival clubs.
After the unfortunate ending of Mellieha Libertas, the BOV Division One looked set for a season with six clubs in action at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion. However, the league will be back to seven teams this coming campaign as last season’s Division Two side Mosta Tigers has made the step upwards to play in Division One as Tigers Basketball Team this year.
Tigers Basketball Team to be Division One’s seventh club
After a social media post by a local Valletta Facebook page hinted about the introduction of a new team, Malta Basketball can confirm that the team, a partner club of Valletta Basketball Club – who will be playing as Valletta Lions this season – will be part of the MBA league.
“Valletta Basketball Club is thrilled to announce that this year we will have FIVE incredible teams competing!” The post read.
“Our club is stronger than ever, and we’re ready to bring passion, skill, and excitement to every game. Join us in cheering for our teams as they aim for glory in their respective divisions!
The new team is just one of many improvements made by the Valletta Basketball Club after securing new players for their original team while introducing a new women’s team.
While the team’s introduction is yet to be made official by the capital club, Tigers Basketball Team has already been drawn in next season’s competitions, assuring participation in all MBA Division One competitions.
Meanwhile, two new teams will hit the court in the Women’s League as Valletta and Athleta both introduced a team of their own, compensating for the loss of Fusion Quest who, like Mellieha, decided to stop participating.
In Division Two, no less than three new teams will be taking part with two Valletta BC-managed teams: Pieta Tamaraw and Qormi Dragons, and another team called Kylin will join Starlites, Depiro Hoops, Hibs, and Shamrock Stars.
Men’s Knockout Draws
First Round Fixtures will take place on February 16
| Depiro | Tigers BT |
| Luxol | Valletta Lions |
| Starlites | Athleta |
