Crossover Canada REPRESENTS at International Tournaments in the Philippines
By Emar Sy
Toronto-Canada
February 16, 2020
Crossover Canada will once again represent our Fil Can community here in Toronto for upcoming international tournaments in the Philippines. They are slated to compete at the most prestigious Chooks To Go NBTC National High School Basketball Championships on March 21-27 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Ballout Hoops International Showcase at Poveda College gym on March 15-19 and will go for a Four peat at the 18U division at the Dreamers International Challenge in Makati.
Coach Eric Altamirano welcomes the continued participation of Canada who will be competing for the 5th since its inception to the NBTC in 2016. Headed by then Coach Mike Cruz pioneered the international participation along with Trail International School of Thailand. Now the weeklong basketball championships has garnered attention from other international teams that included Fil AM Sports USA of Bong Ulep, Camp David New Zealand of David Perez, Top Flight Hoops Vancouver of Nap Santos, Proudly Pinoy Italy, Team Australia and new teams from the US, UAE and Central Canada.
Fil Canadian who has been recruited through the Crossover Canada program
Chooks To Go - NBTC is the gathering of the regional champions all over the Philippines and invited international teams that will vie for the most coveted national championship title for both division 1 and 2 patterned to the March Madness format of the US NCAA. Crossover Canada is pinning its hopes on its veteran core composed of Denzel Faraon, Jason Diaz, Brendon Ocampo, Josh Samonte and Tyler Garcia to improve their quarter final finish last year. Included on the team are veterans Chauncey Dulay, Hervey Diaz, and Jan Andrada, IHSBC Malaysia Champion team members Vincent Andal and Martin Buafasi and new additional Joshua Dwyer, Justin Francisco, Alex Borda Chan, Jacob Villamil and Kobe Tablate. Coach Rod, Dome Florido, Leslie Ruiz,Wallie Landicho and Coach Mike completes the delegation.
Crossover Canada has resulted to athletic scholarships to our Fil Canadian players that includes NCAA Mythical Five awardee James Canlas, UAAP Champion Ateneo Team member Matthew Daves and other recruits Alvin Florido and Andre Cruz of San Beda, Rob Ocampo of CSB La Salle, Evyn Santiago of UP but recently transferred to Adamson and former UST Tiger Ben Kwawukumey.
Left photo: Crossover Canada Team 1.0 member Matthew Daves in action for Ateneo De Manila at the PCCL games; Right photo: James Canlas in action for San Beda at the recently concluded NCAA Finals where he won Mythical Five award
Best of luck to our team delegation and may all continue to represent our Fil Can community here to best of their abilities and forge more friendship, camaraderie and opportunities in the Philippines. Special thanks to UMAC of Larry Baguisa, Dra. Arla Rondilla, Claudio Vendetti, Mitzify Canada, Epok Quimpo of SMARTS Communications, Ms. Cha Cha Juinio of Pizza Hut, Pristine Canada, MB The Place To Be and Realtor Drita Bruci.
