The Big V championships in Australia, particularly the Altona Gators, play host to two Malta players – Nick and Alex Formosa – in their senior and youth league teams. Both brothers had a winning weekend this time around. Similarly, Kurt Cassar’s Janus Fabriano progressed into the semifinals with a 3-1 series win over Geko PSA in the Italian Serie B playoffs. The Times of Malta Sportsdesk looks at the Formosas, Cassar, and other Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment of ‘Maltese Abroad’.

AUSTRALIA

In the senior Division Two of the Big V Championships, Nick Formosa scored six points in 24 minutes on Sunday as the Altona Gators beat the Maccabi Warriors 91-81 to go second in the season ladder with an 11-1 record so far. Formosa added seven rebounds and two assists to his points on the scoreboard.

The side faces a full weekend this time around with a game against the Whittlesea Pacers on Saturday, and another against the Mornington Breakers on Sunday.

Youngest brother Alex, playing with the Alton Gators youth team in the Youth Division One, scored 13 points against Warrandyte on Sunday as the side won 90-83. Alex added three assists and made two steals in 19 minutes on court.

The side faces Casey on Sunday as they stand fifth with an 8-7 record in the ladder so far.

Oldest Formosa brother Jacob, could not make the same impact on his team, the Joondalup Wolves, this weekend as he could only manage a point, a rebound, and an assist in 12 minutes as the side fell to the Goldfields Giants in an 87-70 loss on Saturday.

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The Wolfpack fell to seventh place with a 5-3 record in the NBL One West but have the chance to change things around with a game against the East Perth Eagle on Friday and one against the Perry Lake Hawks on Tuesday.

ITALY

Kurt Cassar and Janus Fabriano showed their dominance in the Serie B playoffs last week as they went from 1-0 down in the series to winning 3-1 and progressing into the semi-finals against Rucker San Vendemiano.

After tying the series at 1-1, Cassar scored 11 points and grabbed seven boards as the side won Game Three 78-86. They did just that once again on Sunday as Cassar scored 7 points and added five rebounds in a 67-76 win over PSA in Game Four.

They now face fellow Group C San Vendemiano on Sunday for Game One of the semi-final series.  

UK

Sasha Lecuyer’s Loughborough Riders suffered the same faith as Aaron Falzon’s Leicester Riders as they could not make it past the semifinals of the playoffs last weekend, losing 64-50 to CoLa Southwark Pride on Saturday. Lecuyer still managed six points, two rebounds, and two steals in 18 minutes.

Lecuyer will still be in action in the WEABL Summer showcase on Wednesday as the Charnwood Riders face the Nottingham Academy Wildcats. Also in action will be Julia Borg as the Sheffield college faces the James Watt College-BMet, as the side looks for their first win in an otherwise tough start to the campaign.

JAPAN

Sam Deguara put up another double-digit display over the weekend as the Tokyo Excellence managed one win from two against Veltex Shizuoka on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, the team won 107-95 with Deguara scoring 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 18 minutes. The next day the side lost 95-91 but Deguara managed a double-double in 17 minutes. He scored 19 while grabbing 10 boards.

The Tokyo excellence face Tryhoop Okayama on Friday and Saturday as the side is second in the standings with a 27-9 record.