Valletta Fighters confirm ex-Mellieha quintet on loan

Valletta Fighter BC announced on Wednesday the signing of five former Mellieha Libertas players to their squad ahead of their debut season in the BOV Division One. 

The five players – Jhun Jhun Lisondra, Christian Briffa, Rytis Rutkauskas, Jean Fiorini and Daniele Militello – have all joined the new capital club on a one-year loan from Mellieha after their time playing with the side’s Division 2 team in past seasons.

Early in the day, Valletta announced the Lisondra signing, with Libertas confirming the rest.

“BC Valletta Fighters is happy to announce our Point Guard Jhun Jhun Lisondra. Jhun Jhun will represent the team as a local foreigner. Having played for multiple Maltese basketball clubs before, he will be a great asset to our team. Welcome, Jhun Jhun!”

“We would like to wish good luck to our players Jhun Lisondra, Christian Briffa, Rytis Rutkauskas, Jean Fiorini, and Daniele Militello who joined the new team Valletta Fighters on a one-year loan,” a Mellieha Libertas statement read on Wednesday.

This mass-signing helps the new local club reach its local player quota, especially due to the fact that players like Lisondra will be playing as local foreigners under the new Malta Basketball Association (MBA) rule change which allows players who have been living in Malta for the past three years to play as locals.

Since their inception in August, Valletta have also signed US import player Desean Mattox as the team prepares for its first outings under technical director Harry Savaya.