My friend Cikku dribbled an imaginary ball around the living room. He skilfully moved around the sofa, approached a statue of Adonis, faked left and went right (left was covered by the wall), leaving Adonis firmly rooted to the spot, jumped over a couple of cushions and started beating on his chest with one hand!
He then went into a eulogy about his amazing physical performance describing his imaginary dunk with some verbal dexterity. 'Gravity defying', 'poetry in motion', 'amazing air-time', 'lower-jaw lowering feat', 'Aaaaaah-drawing performance' - these were just some of the terms that he managed to intersperse with the need to take in oxygen every twenty seconds or so.
Yes, Cikku was really pumped up, and all because he had just returned home after watching the First Maltahoops All Star Afternoon.
Of support and support
Before going into a detailed description of all that happened last Sunday, I would like to point out that the experience of organising a charity event always brings about a renewed faith in the human spirit.
The organising committee was formed of myself, Charles Bonnici (coach of Depiro) and Adrian Mifsud (Hamrun Liberty coach) who can be considered rivals at most times (especially Charles at the moment!).
Despite this, we found it very easy to work with each other knowing that the YMCA Homeless Shelter was going to benefit from our endeavours.
Our families also put up with endless phone calls and errands during what should have been the Christmas holidays.
Help did not just come from within. Gaba Diamonds donated a beautiful diamond pendant; EuroSport provided technical support (including the striped uniforms worn by local refs for the first time), while Intercomp and Veccja restaurant also contributed towards spot prizes. Farsons, through Kinnie, helped with the advertising and provided a number of spot prizes too.
The event could not have been organised without the provision of the Ta' Qali pavilion by the Malta Basketball Association, or without the participation of the players, referees, officials and dozens of helpers.
Finally the presence of David Agius, Peter Busuttil and a funny man dressed up as the Kinnie Kool Kat all helped to make the afternoon enjoyable for the 500 or so people present for the event. The latter also have to be thanked for their contribution towards the Lm652 collected for the YMCA.
He can shoot!
The first competition of the afternoon was the three-point competition, which saw no less than 22 players vying for the title of three-point champion. The players had to shoot 25 shots in one minute, and time became an important factor in the competition.
Six players made it to the semi-finals: Steve Schembri, Adrian Micallef, Nathan Farrugia, Marco Pisani, Dustin Falzon and Michael Naudi, with Farrugia qualifying with an equal score to that of Chris Sammut and Joe Vella. Farrugia qualified because he managed to complete the shots in the shortest time.
It was Farrugia's turn to be undone by the time as he failed to make the final because Adrian Micallef had scored the same number of baskets but taking two seconds less! Steve Schembri was the other finalist.
In the final, Micallef, also known as Ir-Rocket, went first since he had the lowest semi-final score and the pressure began to tell.
Micallef managed to score seven shots (his lowest total of the day) and it was up to Schembri to grab the three-point crown. Schembri started off slowly, making only two of his first eight shots but drew level with Micallef by his 19th shot.
When everyone thought the crown was his, he missed four shots in a row but managed to seal it with his penultimate shot, it couldn't have been closer!
Jam session!
The next competition was the Slam Dunk Competition where eight players showed their jumping prowess.
The judges of the competition were four veterans of the game, Paul Sultana, Ray Mercieca, Ivan Micallef and Kevin Decesare who were joined by four youths chosen from the crowd by the Kinnie mascot.
Four players excelled in the preliminary round with Michael Naudi just nudged out of the final by Jide Jetson, Adrian Micallef and Addison Bonnici. Bonnici took the final by storm when he obtained 79 out of a possible 80 by flying over his Stingers team-mate Chris Sammut to rock the pavilion with a thundering dunk.
Those of you who saw the picture in last Tuesday's The Times will have had an inkling of how spectacular Bonnici was in the Air. Adrian Micallef finished runner-up for the second time in the afternoon.
All-Stars!
The All-Star Game saw two teams comprised of the best players on the Maltese islands match up to each other.
Prior to the game, promising singer/basketball player Rachel Camilleri sang the National Anthem.
The players of the two teams, the coaches and referees were introduced to the President of the Republic Guido De Marco who was present for the event.
In the end, the Knights, coached by Joe Galea, triumphed over the Falcons, coached by John Tabone, 108-85. Nathan Farrugia was voted Most Valuable Player of the game by a panel of journalists and coaches.
Diamonds are forever
One of the highlights of the afternoon for the public was the Diamond shot where the spectators had to score a basket to win the prize.
After several failed attempts (each closer than the previous shot) youngster Ian Terribile managed to put the ball through the hoop. Terribile was presented with the diamond by Alex Cremona on behalf of Gaba Diamonds.
2003 here we come
It is the beginning of a New Year. Basketball-wise the GSSE will present important challenges and will undoubtedly be the focus of the first six months of the year.
After the relative success of last Sunday's event everyone can expect the Second Maltahoops All Star event to conclude the year, but remember, there is more to life than basketball.
When you go to sleep at night thank your blessings for the roof over your head, some people are not so lucky. Keep the YMCA in your thoughts and remember they need your help all year round.
Take care of yourselves, and others. Happy New Year!