09/06/2025
NBTC Canada 2.0
After our debut in 2016, we came back the following year despite efforts from some so-called leaders to wrest the representation from us. While we were not perfect, it's sad that crab mentality reigns among our community. Our delegation was much leaner this time but still competitive. Returning were Matthew Daves, Alvin Florido, Robert Ocampo, Andre Cruz, and Evyn Santiago, plus new additions Max Cruz, Brendon Ocampo, and Ben Kwawukumey to complete the team. Dome Florido and the late Wallie Landicho completed our small delegation. International teams from the US, led by a good friend B**g Ulep, Rey Racuyal, Karlo Angelo, Cromwell Alvarez, and Roger Mantua, headed the Australian delegation, and with David Perez leading the Kiwis, joined the fray to compete for the most prestigious high school basketball championship in the Philippines. The format was still the same, and we were grouped with Mapua Malayan Institute and New Zealand. We first faced the Kiwis and their Haka, which was quite an experience for all of us. It seemed to us that their players got possessed, but later we found out that it was a goodwill cheer for all of us. We won that game handily against New Zealand, who was led by a very young but towering Mason Amos and the Maadenberg brothers. Our next game was a knockout game against the NCAA finalist Mapua, with the winner entering the semis. With our twin towers Chew and Nic battling against Mapua's own twin tower Gozum and Bonifacio, we led the game with their players having a hard time containing our speedy point guard Ben. However, déjà vu struck again in the 4th. With a comfortable lead in hand, we lost Ben with 4 minutes left in the game. Slowly, Mapua clawed their way back into the game with their daunting full-court press. And with a few seconds left, Jasper Salenga hit a three to wrest the lead with 10 seconds left in the game. We called a timeout and drew a play for Matthew Daves. Chew got the ball where we wanted it to be, but Gozum challenged his shot, and Chew kicked out the ball to Alvin Florido, who was caught unaware and lost the ball on the sidelines. It was another heartbreaking loss, but we took this one easier, as there was no blaming, but respect and acceptance from each member of the delegation. After the NBTC tournament, we headed out to Lucban for our first of many championships in the Dreamers International Tournament, organized by a good friend Rhuel Beaujing Acot. Robert Ocampo was adjudged MVP and got recruited by St. Benilda. Ben went to UST. Evyn got to UP. Chew went to the Eagles' den, while Alvin and Andre went to the Lions' den.
