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.