Luxol and Floriana to contest BOV Basketball Final Playoff

■ A press conference was held at the Malta Basketball Association main court, re the forthcoming BOV National league Play Off finals, between Bupa Luxol and Floriana MCP Car Parks, on a best-of-five series.

Speakers at this Press Conference were the MBA president, Paul Sultana, and the BOV Chief Officer, Peter Perotti, together with the Luxol coach. John Tabone, and the American player, Pierce Cumpstone, and the Floriana president, Ian Mercieca, and their Canadian Player, Chad Patus.

Mr. Sultana started off by declaring that the season's last matches will be the last played at the present premises, as there is going to be a major overhaul of the Basketball pavilion, this summer.

The present pavilion is going to be taken down, and a new, more solid pavilion, to be erected in its place. That will mean a more moderate temperature, for the players to play in, in surroundings more compatible to a sports pavilion. This will take place during the summer, and a new basketball season will start in the brand new pavilion, come the end of September.

He also said that next season another team, made up entirely of foreigners, residing in Malta, will be playing in the second division, and the other Maltese sides will be allowed a second local foreigner, apart from any other foreigners brought from abroad.

Mr. Perotti said that BOV has been in collusion with basketball for the past 40 years, wherein the last project they have given a helping hand to youths, with the new training courts. He augured an exciting Play Off finals, a good formula to end the season.

Mr. Tabone mentioned that, with the arrival of Samuel Deguara, he now has a more complete team, which fills him with confidence for the forthcoming matches. He said that the regular season is one thing, but the Play Offs are a different matter. Their moral is high, but they will not be overconfident.

Mr. Mercieca said that, despite the setbacks of missing players, through injury and work, and a suspension to their coach, the Floriana side played above expectations, to clinch a place in the final. He concedes that they are the underdogs, having come from a fourth position, to beat the league leaders, and they have to face the Deguara problem, but that they will be ready for the test.

Both foreigners mentioned that they had great experiences this season, and the level of play was high. Pierce Cumpstone said that it was his first year outside the States, and he relished the coming finals, with Luxol.

Chad Patus opined that Floriana had an up and down season, but they came from behind, in the semis, and they are now in the league finals. He expects physical and intense matches.

The itinerary for the Men's finals is:

Game 1: 4.30pm

Game 2: 7.30pm

Game 3: 4.30pm

Game 4: 4.30pm

Game 5: 4.30pm Saturday 15 April Wednesday 19 April Sunday 23 April Saturday 29 April Monday 1 May