The 2019-2020 MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League kicks off Saturday, 9 November with Hibernians taking on ARMS Depiro at 16:15, with defending champions Starlites GiG facing Luxol on 10 November at 14:45.
All four head coaches spoke with the MBA and recapped their club’s journey thus far in the new campaign.
Starlites GiG
The defending league champions from last season finished the preseason on a high-note by claiming the St James Hospital MBA Shield thanks to a strong second half performance. It was a complete team performance, according to head coach David Baudot, that saw them through to this victory. Early on in the preseason, however, Starlites GiG played without many of their key experienced players, some of whom were abroad or had not yet signed with the club. The pieces came together in time for the 2019 Super Cup final versus Hibernians, but Starlites GiG were edged out by the Paolites 56-50.
The final piece of the puzzle came just days prior to the preseason finale last week. The last-minute addition of Steffi De Martino to the roster bolstered Baudot’s starting five who are capably supported by a dependable and contributing bench. Patricia Arguello, Christina Curmi, Maria Bonett, Michale Zammit Cordina and De Martino will lead the charge for Baudot’s club, but thanks to their strong and balanced supporting cast, Starlites GiG can rely on any player in any given game.
“I cannot say just one name; to be honest, every player is playing their best. Each one has their role inside the team and all of them are indispensable.”
Starlites GiG found much of their success through high-paced basketball. If Starlites GiG want to recapture the league title this season, according to Baudot, the team will need to use this speed and experience while improving their quality when the game does slow down.
“Our strength undoubtedly is our high pace during the whole game,” Baudot said. “We try to be powerful until the end of each game. To improve, we have to increase our knowledge about each other and improve our passing quality. Sometimes we suffer when the game becomes slow.”
Statistical leaders through five preseason games:
Total points: Patricia Arguello 81, Michale Zammit Cordina 71
Total rebounds: Arguello 60, Christina Curmi 33
Hibernians
Hibernians and new head coach Silvia Gambino fired out of the gate in September with championship victories in both the Independence Cup and the Super Cup. And although they fell short to claim the preseason tournament sweep with a loss to Starlites GiG in the MBA Shield, Hibernians showcased dynamic basketball powered by a very young roster.
Veterans and national team members Samantha Brincat, Ashleigh van Vliet and Leanne Duncan bring experience to Gambino’s side. They will be supported by a group of very young players who, despite their relative newness to senior basketball, proved they can contribute to a winning formula for Hibernians.
“I have never seen this kind of team chemistry (between veteran and young players) before,” Gambino said. “They help each other. Everyone is getting confidence. And now, I can say that in every game I have a different player who can step up. This means that we are unpredictable.”
Looking forward into the regular season, Gambino said that defense “is definitely” the team strength and it will be the key formula for success in the 2019-2020 campaign.
Statistical leaders through five preseason games:
Total points: Samantha Brincat 101, Ashleigh van Vliet 62
Total rebounds: van Vliet 64, Brincat 50
ARMS Depiro
ARMS Depiro have perhaps the youngest squad in the women’s league, and head coach Ruben Baldacchino sees his side as underdogs in most every match. But this did not prevent them from developing positively as a team and as a club, which is the primary goal according to Baldacchino.
“Our team is in continuous development as we mainly rely on the club’s youth products, who are the future of local basketball,” said Baldacchino. “Our success is measured by development and growth of the team, and so far I can say that we are on the right track.”
Providing a boost to ARMS Depiro’s young players is Hannah Johnson, the American import with NCAA Division I experience on her basketball resume. The former Washington Husky joined ARMS Depiro as a player and a youth coach, and her impact on the front court for the senior team and the development of the junior teams can immediately be seen.
“She has great character,” Baldacchino said. “And, being a player who has experienced the highest level of NCAA basketball, one can easily notice the impact she’s leaving on the team. That’s why we opted for a player of her caliber, as our main target is development.”
Statistical leaders through three preseason games:
Total points: Hannah Johnson 80, Claire Ciantar 30
Total rebounds: Johnson 39, Ciantar 17
Luxol Basketball Club
Even without a full squad during the early stages of the preseason, Luxol earned their place in the 2019 St James Hospital Independence Cup, only to fall short to Hibernians 29-48 in the modified match format. This and the rest of the October tune-up tournaments were great moments for head coach Ruth Spiteri’s younger players to step up.
“Most of my established players were away for the preseason tournament, so our games were based more on the young players,” Spiteri said. “Now, we are a full squad and the team is performing as expected at this time of the season.”
Luxol had tight battles with Starlites GiG and Hibernians during the St James Hospital MBA Shield tournament, losing 59-66 and 61-70, respectively, before defeating ARMS Depiro 77-72 on 27 October. The losses could have easily been victories for Spiteri’s club, but minor mistakes in the game cost them in the end.
“We need to work harder. If we can be disciplined on the court, I am very confident we can do well for the season.”
Statistical leaders through three preseason games:
Total points: Sharon Vella 54, Sarah Pace 49 Total rebounds: Pace 43, Vella 20
*Special thanks to Colin Schembri for the statistics.