MBA end season after unanimous vote - May 29, 2020
The Malta Basketball Association (MBA) announced on Wednesday that the 2019-20 season is to be closed. The only championship that was completed for the 2019-20 season was the U-23 women's league that was won by Starlites. 'No other team will be recognized as the champion of the respective category this year', the local governing body said. In a press release, the MBA explained that the association's council, Executive Committee and clubs' representatives unanimously agreed to cancel out all the remaining games of the season, both in the leagues and the cups in all categories from the Senior category, right down to the Under-14 category, despite all being close to completion. This verdict comes a month after the association's decision to cancel the men and women's leagues where another meeting had been proposed regarding a further decision. At that time, the MBA had highlighted to the Times of Malta their analysis of the situation, concluding it would be unlikely the leagues would ever be completed. Before the unexpected break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Starlites were leading the way in the men's championship while Hibernians were in first place in the women's championship. Courtesy of: timesofmalta.com
Season 2019/2020 senior leagues cancelled, terminated due to Covid-19 - May 5, 2020
Following a meeting of the Presidents' Council, held yesterday evening, between the MBA executive committee and the clubs' representatives and, the following was decided: a) Senior Leagues (BOV Men / MAPFRE MSV Life Women / BOV Amateur League): The respective leagues were cancelled and terminated. b) Other senior category finals ( (Seniors Men: BOV KO Final & L. Borg Cup Finals) (Seniors Women: MAPFRE MSV Life KO & L. Borg Cup Finals) (BOV Amateur: BOV KO Final) (Under 23 Men: Final)) The above are presently postponed as the clubs agreed on a possibility, namely that should the Health Authorities give a clearance by the end of May and basketball training would be possible, the MBA may grant a three-week preparation phase and, following this, reschedule the above fixtures which would be played by the end of July. c) Junior Leagues ( (St James Hospital Under 19 Men & Women / St James Hospital Under 16 Men & Women / St James Hospital Under 14 Boys & Girls) The above categories are also presently postponed. Should the Health Authorities give a clearance by the end of May and basketball training would be possible, the MBA may grant a three-week preparation phase and, following this, schedule the following with all games to be played by the end of July,: Under 19 Men & Women: Summer Tournament to complete the league Under 16 Men & Women: Remaining fixtures (Final 4) to be rescheduled Under 14 Boys & Girls: Summer Tournament to complete the league It was also decided that another meeting will be held in mid-May as an update of the then current situation and a final decision, re b) and c), would have to be made by the end of May. The MBA stands firm in that it is committed to abide with the instructions issued by the Health Authorities and will also try to ensure the safety of everyone concerned, namely players, coaches, officials and spectators, in whatever decision that is, and will be, taken. Courtesy of: independent.com.mt
Gira Athleta outbattle Hibs to secure tenth MBA Shield title - Nov 12, 2019
The 2019 St James Hospital Shield final resulted in a highly-entertaining and uncertain affair which went down right to the wire with only details separating the two sides so as to determine Gira Athleta as the winners, their tenth success in the Shield's 33-edition history. Three from their total of 11 three-pointers in the game helped Hibs to close off the first period with a slender 24-21 lead. Their top point-getters, American Chandler Rowe (201-F-95) and Swede William Ahlberg (91), shared the long distance shots at this stage with Gira having Connell Crossland (201-F-91, college: TCU) quite active around the opponents' perimeter while Nathan Xuereb (171-SF-01) set off with a seasonal high game and another young element, Sean Galea, notching also a trey. 'I am extremely proud of the team today as it was a hard and physical game,' Crossland told the Times of Malta. 'The young guys on the team really stepped up in a big way. We can keep improving and getting better as an overall team and I believe we have what it takes to get more honours. However, we will take each game one at a time.' After Ivan Demcesen preserved Hibs' momentary lead early in the second quarter, it was Athleta who overturned the score for a 38-34 half-time advantage after two late treys from Milos Novakovic and further points from the young Xuereb. 'The coach created a very good environment with a good pre-game motivational speech,' Xuereb said. 'We fought till the last buzzer to get the win and we triumphed. It is a long way till the end of the season but I believe that if we work hard as a team, we can achieve more.' Novakovic also admitted that it was a tight final. 'The match was uncertain until the very end, but with good defence and some important three pointers, we managed to end the match with a win. I would like to congratulate Hibs for a good and fair game,' he said. 'If we continue to train at the same pace, I am sure we will play well in the course of the season.' Both sides had absences. Athleta's Matthew Gouder (194-F-98) was out with a broken rib whilst Peter Shoults (168-G-85) was only on the bench after returning from injury. At the other end, Marko Matijevic (200-F-78) was not utilised. Hibs set off on a better note in the second half with Nikola Vasovic shooting well, assisted under the boards by Anton Axiaq and Demcesen, with Gira trying hard to keep close mainly through Crossland and Xuereb's penetrations whilst Luca Stefanovic (181-SF-98) banged in two treys at this juncture. 'We focused on working hard and together with our coach we managed to stay positive and keep our composure throughout the entire game,' Stefanovic said. 'The emotions were all over the place as Hibs always give us a hard time. At the end, all of our hard work paid off. This is a boost for us, so we focus and work harder on our upcoming season games to have another championship season.' Halfway into the last quarter, a David Bugeja hoop and a set of four Rowe points moved Hibs to a 70-65 lead. In the next three minutes, despite Ahlberg banging in two more treys, Gira Athleta had a 12-6 run and jumped ahead after an Ian Theisen long ranger. Theisen, a former South Dakota centre, said: 'We needed to be much focused and the win showed we have a lot of character. Nathan and Luca really stole the show. 'It is very hard to win games when two of your starters are not able to play but for us to fight through that and continue to play well makes us all proud. We need to bring this focus to every game.' Seconds later Stefanovic made it a four-point game only for Bugeja to answer with a similar long distance jumper at the other end. With time running out, Gira netted four free throws to ascertain the win to the joy of their coach Sasa Dimitrijevic. 'I believed we would win from the first minute,' Dimitrijevic said. 'We played hard, smart and very disciplined and am very happy for our young players Sean, Luca and Nathan who have given a lot of energy to the team. I hope the injured Matthew Gouder and Peter Shoults return quickly as they are needed in the team rotation.' 'This was a great win but we must continue to work hard. Being the champions, we must play like champions. It will be an interesting league as any team can beat anyone,' added the Macedonian coach. MBA president Paul Sultana presented the St James Hospital Shield to the game's top scorer Nathan Xuereb. For Gira this was their second title success this season after winning the Independence Cup. Courtesy of: timesofmalta.com
Gzira Athleta earn 2019 Independence Cup title - Sep 23, 2019
Gzira Athleta recorded the first title of the new season. They clinched 2019 Independence Cup trophy. Gzira Athleta outscored Starlites 57:48 in the Final. Previously Athleta beat Libertas 72:52 in the semifinal clash. Starlites advanced into title game taking care of Luxol 60:43 in the first semifinal.
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