AfricaBasket's Top 5: Point Guards | They read defences, dictate tempo, and make their teams click. In Madagascar’s N1A Women’s Championship, where creativity meets toughness, these five point guards represent the essence of the game.
Last Updated on
November 25, 2025
Following the success of previous instalments, AfricaBasket's Top 5 series continues with Madagascar's N1A Ladies Championship, highlighting the league's top-tier point guards. These floor generals have built respected reputations for reading defences, controlling tempo, and putting their teammates in position to be successful.
Together, these five top point guards define and continue to elevate Madagascar N1A Ladies basketball through skill, strategy, and relentless competitive spirit.
We’ll begin this group with the reigning N1A Ladies MVP, Sambatra Tokiniaina. The highly respected point god is a mix of power, passion, and precision. Her all-around game was on full display in the championship final: 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, embodying GNBC’s balance between discipline and flair.
“She’s very physical, aggressive on both ends, and active in every phase of the game,” says Coach Deda.
Tokiniaina's presence sets the tone, having developed a reputation for defending with intensity, crashing the boards, and pushing the ball in transition. A vocal leader and a team-first player, Sambatra excels in pick-and-rolls and fast breaks, punishing sloppy defences. Her energy is contagious, and her impact is undeniable. She is the cornerstone of GNBC's recent dominance in the N1A Championship.
Nicknamed “Killer”, Emerenchine “Chine” Raherimanana is the ultimate closer. In the 2025 final, her 22 points, including clutch three-pointers, silenced MB2ALL’s comeback attempts. Known as a sharpshooter in both 5x5 and 3x3, Chine is the definition of composure under fire.
“She is always scoring in the double digits, sometimes as many as 30 points a game since she started in N1A. She’s smart, fast, and technically flawless,” says Coach Deda.
Beyond stats, her mindset sets her apart. Calm yet ruthless, Raherimanana thrives in decisive moments and understands the nuances of every play. Chine is GNBC’s cold-blooded assassin from deep range.
Miora Mampionona has been one of Coach Deda’s most relied-on weapons since 2021, having evolved from a very physical hooper into one of the smartest high-IQ floor generals in the league. A former highly physical player, she sustained multiple injuries, which compelled her to reinvent her approach. As a result, Mampionona transformed into a more composed and intelligent player, seamlessly combining her skills with pure technique.
The former league MVP and top scorer of the 2016 President’s Cup, Mampionona was instrumental in MB2ALL’s 2018 title run. Her leadership commands respect from both teammates and opponents, and her longevity speaks volumes. She remains a key player in 2025, capable of controlling the pace and dictating the flow with precision.
Explosive, powerful, and fearless, these words best describeAngela Andriatahina. She acts as the spark that ignites GNBC’s offence,using her explosiveness from the very first possession to break down defensivebalance.
“Her speed and sense of teamwork give her a huge advantage,” says Coach Deda.
In the 2025 N1A Championship final, Angela scored 12 points and helped GNBC win the trophy. She was later selected for Madagascar's 3x3 national team, demonstrating her value beyond the domestic league. Her playing style is characterised as intense. Defensively, she exerts relentless pressure on opposing guards; offensively, she attacks with determination, frequently scoring difficult baskets in traffic.
“She often scores the difficult shots and makes the difference,” adds Deda.
A competitor to the core, Angela embodies the modern Malagasy guard, quick, aggressive, and unrelenting.
For Cathicia Rabenjamina, basketball is a game of reading and reasoning. She’s a pure technician, a pure point guard, if you will. She can read any defensive setup and always seems to find the right offensive answer.
As JEA’s floor leader, Rabenjamina combines intelligence with creativity, directing plays and confusing opponents’ guesses. She’s capable of scoring from mid-range, driving to the basket, or setting up teammates with highly accurate passes.
As a guard, she has a solid foundation, evident in her disciplined, structured approach. Her calm composure under pressure and ability to control tempo make her the heartbeat of JEA’s offence. Rabenjamina represents the evolution of Malagasy guards: tactical, poised, and unselfish.
[Photography: Courtesy of Malagasy Basketball Federation]
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