With the basketball season nearing to a start in Europe, clubs will be looking at their squads in friendly games. New Magec Tias signing MIKELA RIOLO was part of the squad this week as she begins her career in Spain. The Times of Malta’s sportsdesk looks at Riolo and other Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment of ‘Maltese abroad’.
SPAIN
Having joined the team at the beginning of September for pre-season, Riolo was part of the squad for Magec Tias’ game on Monday against CB Adareva Tenerife in the Canary Islands Government Cup. The side ended up winning 78-74.
Riolo, 18, who was the Spanish club’s first summer signing, donning the number 35 shirt, has seen praise by Magec Tias for her ‘qualities to be a competitive guard’. Having been a part of every age-group within the Malta national setup, this is her first stint abroad, after moving from Starlites. Her new team, in a statement, had said Riolo is ‘a player with determination and who is eager to improve’.
This was the side’s last preparation game before the start of the season on October 4 when they will face the same Adareva team again.
ITALY
Similarly, Pallacanestro Orzinuovi center Kurt Cassar featured in the side’s pre-season friendly against BCC Treviglio on Saturday.
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The side ended up with a 95-all tie in the scrimmage with scores of: 21-27; 22-24; 18-19; 34-25.
Tevin Falzon will be donning the number seven kit for his debut season with Serie C side Pallacanestro Palestrina ahead of the new season.
Announced on Wednesday, the team will form part of the division’s group A which consists of nine teams and will start on November 1st and end on March 14th.
Falzon featured most recently on the Times of Malta Sports’ Instagram for a live interview. Watch below:
AUSTRALIA
SC Phoenix’s Nelson Kahler was a force to reckoned with for his side, despite them losing 94-79 against Southern Districts Spartans on Saturday.
The forward played 29 minutes, scoring 18 – nine out of 15 attempts for a field goal percentage of 60%. He also managed 11 rebounds – the most achieved by any player on the court on Saturday.
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The side slips down into fifth place ahead of the next fixture against Northside Wizards on Friday (Tip off 8pm AEST/12.00 Malta)
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