If this basketball weekend was a preview of what is yet to come, we’re in for an interesting season.

Thanks to an applaudable team effort, Siggiewi emerged the victors of the two-day St James Hospital Pre-season Tournament, beating Athleta AtoZ with a score of 59 – 44 before a sizeable crowd at the university hall on Sunday.

While visibly still lacking top game-shape, the six teams taking the floor looked equipped to start what promises to be one of the most competitive seasons in the last years. From an entertainment point of view, Depiro’s American import, Shawn Morgan, stole the show with a number of spectacular dunks that launched him as an early candidate for the crown of crowd favourite for the upcoming season. Pavi Depiro’s transition game looked as effective as ever, landing them third place in front of newly assembled Floriana Francesco Fenech, who look to become a force in the league once the new players gel together and begin to better understand each other’s game. Despite Bupa Luxol and Tata Motors LBC, fifth and sixth respectively, still being a work in progress, they look like they will be a tough match for their opponents, week in week out.

In the Women’s St James Hospital Super Cup, Luxol reaffirmed themselves as the best women team on the island adding on to last week’s Pre-season Tournament success and beating Hibernians in a nail-biting game that saw both teams trading baskets all game. The hero of the day was Luxol’s Paula Ellul, who split two free-throws with the game tied with seven seconds to go, earning a one point lead for the white and reds, enough to take home the Super Cup trophy at the buzzer.