Category: Women’s League

Roderick Vella Takes Helm as Luxol Women’s Coach

In a significant move that showcased Luxol Basketball Club‘s commitment to nurturing home-grown talent, Roderick Vella was appointed as the Senior Women’s Coach on Saturday. 

The appointment, announced by the club ahead of the new season means a promotion to the senior ranks as Santino Coppa’s replacement.

Vella’s appointment is not merely a routine promotion; it reflects his substantial contributions to Luxol’s female sector. Over the years, he has proven his mettle by clinching numerous titles with the U19, U16, and U14 girls’ teams. His ability to foster talent has been pivotal, with many of his protégés now shining in the senior team and junior national squads.

“I am honoured and excited to take on this new challenge,” Vella said in an official club statement. 

“Our club has a rich tradition of excellence, and I am committed to continuing this legacy with the senior women’s team.”

In his expanded role, Vella will not only oversee the Senior Women’s team but also guide the U23 and U19 Women’s teams. This broad scope of responsibility underscores the club’s confidence in his coaching acumen and vision for the future. His track record speaks volumes, and the expectation is that he will infuse the senior team with the same winning mentality and skill development he has instilled in his junior teams.

Luxol’s announcement also highlighted the strategic appointments of other key figures in their coaching staff. Luxol player Nathan Xuereb will take charge of the U16 Girls and U19 Luxol St. Andrew’s Women’s teams.

Meanwhile, Brendon Cassar Saguna has been assigned to lead the U12, U14, and U16 Luxol St. Andrew’s Girls’ teams.

The club’s strategic expansion of its nursery has also been a focal point of this announcement. With the ability to field two teams in both the U14 and U16 categories, as well as an additional team in the U19 Women’s league, Luxol is poised to solidify its presence and competitive edge in Maltese basketball.

Luxol Basketball Club expressed optimism about the future, stating, “Best of luck to coaches Roderick Vella, Nathan Xuereb, and Brendon Cassar Saguna as they embark on their new roles. We look forward to a successful season ahead!”

Coppa celebrates ‘fantastic success’ after ending farewell tour with women’s double

At the end of the 2023-24 MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League regular season, not many would have placed their bets on Caffe Moak Luxol winning the title after the Violets finished third in the standings below Depiro and Starlites JSD. However, it was the Pembroke-based side who were crowned champions on the final day of the season after a Game Five victory, and coach Santino Coppa believes it was a fantastic success.

“When I am losing 2-0, I keep on believing and I transmit this to my players – my two experienced players Mandi (Mercieca) and Jo (Diaby) helped me a lot to transmit this thing to the young players,” Coppa said.

“This is a fantastic success because it was against a strong, and expensive team.

“After 2-0, nobody believed in this team… nobody. But I always transmit positivity and (the players) always give everything for me.”

While last season’s champions Starlites had held control over the top spot for the majority of the season, Depiro leveraged momentum coming off their Knock Out triumph in March against John Tabone Shield winners Luxol to surge ahead in the last few game-days of the regular season, securing a direct spot in the playoff finals.

A sweep against Starlites in the semifinals meant the Knockout finalists would meet again to close off the season with what would become a fairytale ending for Coppa and his team.

Depiro, arguably the team that had invested the most over the summer for this campaign, looked most likely to lift the trophy again after two games. However, Luxol avoided the sweep with basketball they had not shown in the previous fixtures, shocking the Mtarfa side into defeat. But when the series reached parity on Game 4, the pressure was completely on Depiro as it seemed Luxol had a point to prove.

Fenech Pace wins Finals MVP award

Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Anna Fenech Pace believes the team deserved the victory.

“It’s so crazy! We really worked hard and we really deserve it as a team,” Fenech Pace said.

“We’ve been through everything together and so it’s just amazing. We came back – we lost two games and won three so everyone’s just over the moon.”

Asked about how it felt for her to be on the court in such an intense series and be awarded MVP, the Malta youth international was lost for words.

“(It was) so stressful – It was so nerve-wracking and everything, but I feel like with the teammates I have, everyone is always encouraging each other and it’s just such a great team to be part of that you enjoy playing these games,” she admitted.

“I’m shocked (about the MVP award). I don’t really know what to say – Thank you.”

‘Thank you, Malta’

Having been around Maltese basketball since the beginning of the millennium, Italian coach Coppa holds a phenomenal standing among the community due to him first being women’s National Team coach for many years, before joining Luxol as their women’s head coach, a role he has occupied until this season.

However, it seems this run will come to an end this summer as Coppa is set to return to Italy.

“For me, this success is very important because it’s the last one here in Malta as I will be going back to Italy,” he confirmed.

“These last three seasons with Luxol, Edgar (Caruana Montaldo) the president, Eric Fenech Pace have helped me a lot because it is a very difficult job so I say thank you to them and Roderick (Vella) who is the youth coach because he prepared and helped me in my job for this success.

“I say thank you to the Association because I know everybody, and I cherish my experiences in Malta. I began in 2002 with the national team and I continued with Luxol. This is a success that for me is fantastic because it was with two veteran players, one American, and the others who are young.

“The American (Tayler Bennett) improved day after day because she is a good person and she stayed with me, listened to me and worked with me in the morning to improve.

The Italian also showed appreciation for the community as “everybody is my friend and I’m friends with the island and with its people”.

Discussing his next steps, Coppa said he had received two offers from Italy but had made a gentleman’s agreement with the Violets to stay on for this past season. However, he explained that his time as a basketball coach in Malta was over.

“Next for me is that I go back home. In this season, I had another two offers from Italy’s First Division, but I was the coach of Luxol. I didn’t have a contract – only a handshake with the president and I finished my job. Now I don’t know. I have other options but that’s not important – the important thing is that after finishing my experience, I am happy, and I am satisfied.

“Tomorrow is another day but today, I want to stay here and enjoy it. This is a fantastic island and I’ll come to Malta always for my holiday. But for basketball, that’s finished.”

Women’s League awaits new champion as Depiro, Luxol face off in finals

After an exciting regular season and an intense playoff semifinal battle, the stage is set for the championship showdown in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League.

Depiro, the table-toppers, will square off against Caffe Moak Luxol, a team boasting a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, in a highly anticipated best-of-five series tipping off on Sunday.

Malta Basketball looks at the two sides ahead of the series…

Depiro dominance

Depiro’s journey to the finals has been nothing short of impressive. Buoyed by key acquisitions over the summer, including Maltese internationals Kristy Galea and Sophie Abela, alongside the towering presence of US import centre Jose Ann Johnson, they have soared to the summit of the league.

Coach Adrian Baldacchino’s side showcased remarkable consistency throughout the season, culminating in a triumphant finish atop the standings at the end of the regular season.

Their victory in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s Knockout further bolstered their confidence heading into the playoffs.

Leading the charge in scoring are Galea and Johnson, with Abela anchoring their formidable defence. With sharpshooting from Galea, Julia Borg, and Nicole Agius, Depiro poses a multifaceted threat to their opponents, poised to make their mark in the finals.

Luxol’s resurgence

Under the guidance of coach Santino Coppa, Luxol’s resurgence this season has left no doubt that they would be one of the teams challenging for the title again after having won it during the 2021-22 season.

This season’s John Tabone Women’s Shield winners have embarked on a journey blending the wisdom of seasoned players like Josephine Diaby and Mandi Mercieca with the dynamic talents of US import guard Tayler Bennett. Their roster also features promising young talents, including the Fenech Pace trio: Sarah, Anna, and Lisa.

Luxol’s path to the playoff finals saw them dispatching defending champions Starlites JSD in a convincing 2-0 series sweep in the semifinals, showcasing their depth and resilience. Despite encountering setbacks along the way, Luxol’s strategic blend of experience and youth positions them as formidable contenders for the championship title.

As the playoff finals beckon, Depiro will look to maintain their momentum and capitalise on their star-studded lineup, while Luxol aims to leverage their collective experience and youthful exuberance to upset the odds.

Matchups like that between Galea and Bennett will be key for the tie as the pair of dynamic guards have each been pivotal to their team’s offensive strategy so far. Meanwhile, the battle in the paint between dominant centres Johnson and Diaby will be crucial in determining control of the boards.

MAPFRE MSV LIFE WOMEN’S PLAYOFF FINALS PROGRAMME

GAME 1 Depiro vs Caffe Moak Luxol – May 12 (14.00)

GAME 2 Caffe Moak Luxol vs Depiro – May 15 (18.45)

GAME 3 Depiro vs Caffe Moak Luxol – May 19 (14.00)

GAME 4 Caffe Moak Luxol vs Depiro – May 23 (18.15)

GAME 5 Depiro vs Caffe Moak Luxol – May 26 (14.00)

Starlites, Luxol set for semifinal clash ahead of Depiro showdown in women’s playoffs

As the Malta Basketball Association (MBA) playoffs loom large, anticipation reaches fever pitch as three titans of the court, Depiro, Starlites JSD, and Caffe Moak Luxol, gear up for a thrilling showdown.

All three teams start the postseason with a trophy in hand so with the coveted championship title within reach, each team will be bringing a unique blend of talent, experience, and ambition to the court.

Regular season champions Depiro await the conclusion of the semifinals to discover their opponent in the finals. Meanwhile, title holders Starlites and Luxol are set to clash in a high-stakes matchup, with the winner advancing to face Depiro in the ultimate battle for the championship.

Times of Malta Sport analyses the three contenders for the highest honour in Maltese women’s basketball…

Depiro

Depiro enter the postseason as the team to beat. Led by the formidable trio of Kristy Galea, Sophie Abela, and Jose Ann Johnson, Depiro have been a dominant force on both ends of the court. Their achievements this season speak volumes, having claimed victory in the women’s Knockout against Starlites and securing the regular-season championship.

Under the guidance of coach Adrian Baldacchino, Depiro’s investment in their women’s team has paid dividends, with a focus on defensive solidity and cohesive teamwork. Their road to the playoffs has been marked by consistency and strategic prowess, culminating in a well-deserved spot in the finals.

Starlites JSD

Starlites, the second seed in the playoffs, are no strangers to success, having clinched the Super Cup earlier in the season. Led by key players Steffi De Martino and Paige Cannon, Starlites have been a formidable presence on the court, with De Martino continuing to showcase her MVP-worthy skills.

Under the stewardship of new coach Fatih Dedelioglu, Starlites have blended seasoned players like Maria Bonett and Christina Curmi with emerging talents like Mikela Riolo and Michela Zammit Cordina. Despite stumbling in the final weeks of the regular season, Starlites will remain determined to reclaim their momentum and defend their title.

Caffe Moak Luxol

Luxol, the third seed in the playoffs, are poised to upset the established order with their potent mix of experience and youth. Led by key players Tayler Bennett, Josephine Diaby, and Sarah Fenech Pace, Luxol have enjoyed success this season, winning the John Tabone Shield and finishing as runners-up in the Super Cup.

Under coach Santino Coppa, Luxol have undergone a transition, blending veteran leadership with the exceptional talent of import guard Tayler Bennett and promising young players from Malta’s Under 18 squad. Despite slipping to third in the standings late in the season, Luxol remain a team to watch in the postseason.

MAPFRE MSV LIFE PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS

GAME 1

PLAYING ON WEDNESDAY

Starlites JSD vs Caffe Moak Luxol – 12.30

GAME 2

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

Caffe Moak Luxol vs Starlites JSD – 13.00

GAME 3

PLAYING ON THURSDAY

Starlites JSD vs Caffe Moak Luxol – 20.00

Depiro sound alarm after beating Luxol in women’s Knockout

Depiro sealed this year’s MAPFRE MSV LIFE Women’s Knockout title on Sunday when they beat Caffe Moak Luxol at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

It was the perfect ending to a hotly contested cup competition and both sides looked ready from before the game’s tip-off as both clubs brought their loyal masses with them to make sure of an electric atmosphere to complement the performance.

With this victory, Depiro have now won the Knockout competition for the third time in their history.

Depiro coach Adrian Baldacchino praised his side’s attitude.

“When I saw my team united, fighting for each other even while we were behind because we had a shaky start, then I saw Sophie (Abela), Kristy (Galea), Jose (Johnson) and everyone else giving it their all even from the bench, it was something very beautiful,” Baldacchino said.

“We now have tough fixtures in the league so we need to focus on them as we are fighting as hard as we can to try and grab that top spot in the standings.”

Depiro’s Galea takes home MVP award

Luxol’s Tayler Bennett led the game’s scoring on Sunday with 20 points, but it was Depiro’s Kristy Galea who stole the show with a team-leading 17 points and a stunning performance which catapulted her to the final’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the end of the game.

When asked about this triumph, Galea sounded her excitement after winning such an accolade.

“I’m very proud,” she said, “if one looks at the season, we’ve come a long way and we’re continuously getting better together. This is all that matters, and the most crucial part is still to come so we need to stay focused.

“We need to stick to what we’ve been doing so far – defending, because that is our game, and getting those fast breaks.”