Naudi and Cardona best players for 2009-10
Pembroke Athleta’s Michael Naudi and Joselle Cardona, of Hibs, were yesterday named as the season’s best players in Malta Basketball Association (MBA) competitions during a special presentations ceremony held at the Le Meridien Hotel, in St...
Pembroke Athleta’s Michael Naudi and Joselle Cardona, of Hibs, were yesterday named as the season’s best players in Malta Basketball Association (MBA) competitions during a special presentations ceremony held at the Le Meridien Hotel, in St Julian’s.
Various sports personalities, not least those from the basketball family headed by MBA president Antonio Mizzi, were present for the first Basketball Awards Night during which the association distributed its individual honours of the season and also rewarded mementoes to those who left an imprint on the game in the past.
But the spotlight mainly was on Naudi and Cardona at the Le Meridien as those players who distinguished themselves for their teams during the 2009-10 campaign were rewarded for their efforts in a ceremony that is set to become a fixed appointment in the MBA annual calendar.
Cardona helped Hibs Medsea to win their fifth league title in a row after a very tough challenge from Luxol in the women’s league as Naudi collected two other personal awards, besides the one for best player, following his sterling contribution for Athleta in rebounds and, more importantly, in points.
Naudi was the league’s top scorer last season, somewhat making up for the upset of losing the championship play-offs final to Siġġiewi in game three.
The women’s league best scorer was Kaila Agius, of Depiro.
Yesterday, the MBA also commemorated the 25th anniversary since Malta won its first GSSE medal when the men’s basketball national team finished third in the inaugural San Marino Games in 1985.
Most of those who made the country proud on that occasion were present for the Awards Night.
The basketball ‘trail-blazers’ were led by coach John Tabone and team captain Kevin Decesare.
The others in the 1985 selection were Ivan Attard, Ivan Grech, Charlie Azzopardi, Tony Camilleri, Ray Muscat, Mario Tabone, Saviour Vella, Bernard Micallef, Don Ross and Mark Ransley.
Player of the year
U-17: Clayton Farrugia; Christine Sammut.
U-20: Nigel Sultana; Steffi De Martino.
Div. Two (men): Matthew Shoults.
Women: Joselle Cardona.
Men: Michael Naudi.
Women
Best assists: Leanne Sciberras.
Best rebounder: Kaila Agius.
Best steals: Sarah Pace.
Best 3-point shooter: Kirsten Micallef.
Best scorer: Kaila Agius.
Men
Best assists: Roderick Vella.
Best rebounder: Michael Naudi.
Best steals: Peter Shoults.
Best 3-point shooter: Roderick Vella.
Best scorer: Michael Naudi.