Falken Cynergi Virtus have their eyes set on wresting the BOV Cup from the clutches of Gżira Athleta as the two rival teams meet in the final this weekend.
Athleta have dominated the knock-out competition for several years. In fact, Joe Galea’s men reached 15 of the last 16 finals and retained the silverware these last three years.
Last year, they beat Virtus in the final but Athleta will have to step up their game on Sunday as they face a side that is fast becoming the new force in the local game despite coming to life only a couple of years back.
After winning their first league title last season, beating none other than Athleta in the play-offs final, Virtus went on to claim three honours in the current season – the Independence Cup, Super Cup and MBA Shield.
Paul Ferrante’s team are at their peak and last week they beat Floriana to maintain a perfect record in the league after five matches.
Galea is unfazed, however, and said his team are approaching the final with no added pressure and confident his players can turn the tables on Virtus.
“Our build-up has been very smooth and positive,” he said.
“In the close-season we had a lot of changes and some of our young players were given the opportunity to join the senior squad. We also have a new foreign player with us, Lee Fisher. He seems to be settling in nicely so it looks like we are gearing up for this match.”
Galea put his opponents under pre-match pressure yesterday.
“Really, I believe that all the pressure is on Virtus,” he said.
“They are the form-team at the moment and I’m sure they have high hopes of winning this one as well. But we are determined to make life difficult for them so I’m banking on my players to cause an upset on Sunday.”
Ferrante said his team’s preparations for the final are no different to other matches against Athleta.
“I have little complaints with how the season has gone for us so far,” the Virtus mentor said.
“This will be another important match like the others against Athleta. We shall continue to practise hard on court this week to make sure we arrive into the match in top shape.
“The BOV KO is one trophy we have not won so far and that makes the team extra motivated on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, Paul Sultana, president of the Malta Basketball Association, yesterday confirmed that US-based brothers, Tevin and Aaron Muscat, have accepted an invitation to play for the national team in next summer’s FIBA European Championships.
“We are really excited that Tevin and Aaron Muscat have agreed to play for our national team in next summer’s Europeans,” Sultana told reporters.
“Both players are making a name for themselves in College Basketball in the United States and their contribution and presence will surely be of great benefit to our national team.”