Watch: Maltese Abroad: Deguara makes Japan B3 debut

Malta center Sam Deguara made his Japanese B3 league debut with Tokyo Excellence last weekend with two back-to-back games, getting a fantastic 75%+ field goal percentage in both. The Times of Malta Sportsdesk looks at Deguara and other Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment of ‘Maltese Abroad’.

JAPAN

Sam Deguara made his official Japan B3 debut with Tokyo Excellence – after having played in the Emperor’s Cup – on Friday in a 72-79 loss to Veltex Shizuoka.

Deguara started the game, scored 16 points and collected six rebounds in 18 minutes. More importantly, he only missed two shots from nine giving him a 77.8% field-goal percentage.

The 7’5 big man started again on Saturday as he scored six (75FG%) and grabbed seven boards in an 83-85 loss to the same Shizuoka.  This time, he was rested and only spent around 11 minutes on court.

The Tokyo Excellence face the Saitama Broncos on Saturday and Sunday in another set of back-to-back games.

USA

Kristy Galea’s Alderson Broaddus celebrated a much better week as they beat Frostburg State University 93-70, and Fairmont State university 90-81.

 The Malta guard put on a show on Wednesday against Frostburg State as she started and in 26 minutes on court, scored a season-high 14 points, assisted another six makes while grabbing eight boards.

She was a starter again on Saturday in the win over Fairmont State. Playing for 15 minutes, Galea continued her double-digit week, scoring 12 points. She assisted two buckets while getting three rebounds.

The Battlers now face Dave & Elkins College on Wednesday (Tip-off: 5PM US/11PM Malta)

UK

Aaron Falzon’s Leicester Riders produced a blow-out 90-58 win over the Glasgow Rocks in the British Basketball league (BBL) televised game on Sunday (Sky Sports) as the Malta forward came off the bench to score eight points and assist another.

He played for 15 minutes and was in the mood for defense, grabbing three boards, a block and a steal.

The Riders now face the Sheffield Sharks on Friday (Tip-off: 6PM UK/ 7PM Malta).

LEICESTER RIDERS VS GLASGOW ROCKS FULL GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YERy2Btj4Ac

ITALY

Janus Fabriano Basket’s new signing Kurt Cassar made his official debut off the bench on Sunday as the side lost by a mere point (70-71) to Sutor Montegranaro.

While he was unable to get his name on the scoreboard, playing for eight minutes, he did grab a rebound.

Fabriano now face Rennova Teramo a Spicchi on Sunday.