Crossover Canada books first ever NBTC quarters slot

MANILA, Philippines – Durham Crossover Canada ensured that there would be no comeback magic for Sta. Clarita International School of Iloilo.

From a close 49-41 first half, the Filipino-Canadian five broke out in the second half and stifled the Illongos’ stars. Canada dropped 60 points on Sta. Clarita Primes while holding them to 34 points to enter the quarterfinals for the first time in their four years of participating in the Chooks to Go NBTC National Finals presented by SM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Tyler Garcia topscored for the game with 32 points to lead Canada. Also finishing in double-digit scoring were Marc Casilla with 17, Brendon Ocampo with 16, Joshua Samonte with 12, and Jason Diaz with 11. The exciting Denzel Faraon was held to a miserable four points on 2-of-8 shooting.  

In the Primes’ two previous matches, a 99-88 win over Zamboanga Del Sur National High School out of Pagadian, and 89-75 over NBTC Cebu champions University of San Jose Recoletos, they came back from double-digit deficits to advance to the Round of 16.

Canada shut down Sta. Clarita’s two catalysts — the high-scoring Ralph Bajon and sweet-shooting Wilmer Dalumpines, who were held to 13 and 4 points, respectively. 

Bajon has been averaging 23.5 points per game while Dalumpines, who also runs the show for the Primes, is norming 15.5 points. 

With the prolific duo shut down, it was up to Steven Tono and center Jemar Cepriano to do the bulk of the scoring. Tono scored a team-high 28 points while Cepriano added 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Canada led by as much as 34 as they almost scored at will on fastbreaks with a huge 20-6 advantage.Sta. Clarita was also badly beaten off the boards as the Fil-Canadians hauled down 54 to their 43 that enabled the latter to score more second chance points, 16-11.

“Our team displayed great teamwork and they stuck to our game plan which is to attack the basket,” said Durham Crossover Canada head coach Mike Cruz. “We were able to break their press and we connected from three-point range (they hit eight while the Illongos managed only five). Our second unit also provided great relief for the starters that allowed us to finish strong.”

Of all the international teams participating in the NBTC National Finals, Durham Crossover Canada has sent the most number of Filipinos born overseas to local collegiate leagues with a total of seven that includes Matthew Daves (Ateneo); James Canlas, Alvin Florido, and Andre Cruz (San Beda), Evyn Santiago plays (UP), Robbie Ocampo(College of Saint Benilde) and Ben Kwawukumey (UST).

Canada will play the winner of the FEU-Mapua match in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 21.