Blizzards players born 2000 - 1998 is now our Sabado League Open Division Champions 2019
Jerome Santoyo, Shawn Maranan, Jalen Milan, JC Aaron, Trezon Morcilla, Dylan Tagle, Gavin Stevenson, Andre Sansano, Jonathan Salunga, Alden Sansano, Matthew Medina, Ryan Fabregas, Anthony Tamondong and Don Dayrit (MVP) -with Coach Ruel Maranan
Blizzards 2004 Boys - PegCity Spring League Champions 2019
Congratulations to our Blizzards 2004 Boys for closing the basketball club season with a championship win. The first two quarters was very close game with adjustment during 3rd quarter the boys able to maintain double digit lead, the Blizzards boys get hot on 3's once their opponent team Eastman Wolverines went consistently into zone. With good ball movement and unselfish basketball plays - the lead wont up to 20 points. Big defensive presence by Ben Penner, Matthew Fredrisken and player of the game Kevin Banuik. The tone was set by good aggressive plays by Marc Roxas and Andrei Capucion. Including good plays coming from Kurt Jordan and Luigi Sulit.
Andrei Capucion one of 3 point guards Blizzards Boys 2004 was awarder by his school as Grade 9 Athlete of the year 2018-2019 Miles Macdonell Collegiate Athletic Banquet. It's a year end celebration of all students who participated in school sports program and then event is to recognize their contribution, achievements in school.
The athlete of the year is one of the major awards given at end of the banquet, recognizing Male and Female from Grade 9, JV and Varsity level.
The award was present by Coach Fred Mighty - JV Basketball Coach. Andrei played in 3 different sports program. He started school sports season as Grade 9 player for Volleyball as Libero after that he tried out at JV Basketball (he is one of four Grade 9 players selected to play, one of two point guard in the team. He finished his school sports program at JV Badminton player and both participated as Grade 9/JV games.
He was appreciated by his teammate with good character, hardworking person and leader. In introduction Coach Might said "Even with all his commitments this student athlete he was able to balance his time between athletics and studies, when I reach out to some of his teachers and his teammates to hear how this individual doing in school I was very happy to hear that this young man is averaging close to 100% throughout his classes"
Coach Fred Mighty and Andrei Capucion - presented by Grade 9 Male Athlete of year award 2018-2019
Miles Macdonell Collegiate Sports Banquet
The Chicken Chef Jr. Bison 15th Annual Tournament Consolation 2019 Champions
Back (Left to Right)
Assistant Coach Miggy, Kurt Jordan, Jiro Umali, Luigi Sulit, Lane Welch,
Kevin Banuik, Alex McCaskill, Ben Penner, Mykel Caparas.
Front (Left to Right)
Scott Maranan, Kirby Panganiban, Andrei Capucion and Coach Arnold.
Summary
The Junior Bison Boys Basketball Tournament -- April 19th – April 21st 2019 – with venues from Winnipeg University of Manitoba – Investors Group Athletic Centre, St. Boniface College Lindenwoods CC. and St. Johns Ravenscourt School. It's 7 Division Tournament from boys born 2008 to 2002/2001.
Blizzards Club team entered 3 teams in division (2005 under Coach Armando), (2004 Yellow Coach Edgar and Blue Coach Arnold).
The boys 2004 Blue team was the last Jr. Bison Tournament Champions (2018) defeating Jr. Bison Black in Semis and Ignite Basketball in the Finals. Coming into 2019 tournament without very talented point guard Marc Roxas and high power forward Daniel Smith. The first game started with loss against Hotshots by only 4 points regardless of good start leading by 10+ points, rotation of players and unable to defend quick guards with loss which automatically to consolation bracket. But the determined Blizzards Boys 2004 Blue use the loss as motivation to win 3 succeeding games in Saturday. On Sunday we face the same team we lost on first game since they have lost to Jr. Bison Black on Semis, we had another chance to avenge our loss, the game was pretty close than earlier match. Down 2 points on under a minute left of the clock the Blizzards boys try to tie the game unable to execute their offense, on missed shot - Blizzards team rebound on brown play under 15 seconds left rebounded by Jiro then kick out to Andrei for 3 point shot - makes it for 1 point lead. After that Hotshots possession trying to inbound the ball when Blizzards team able to stole the ball and hotshots have to make intentional foul to stop the clock. Kevin makes 2 free throw the give us 3 point lead but there not much on the clock .03 seconds left. End Game - The successfully rebounded from day 1 lost and clinched the finals and won against Jr. Bison White. The never won back to back this year but its worth like same Championship feeling.
Game Score Summary
Game 1:
Blizzards 52 - Hotshots 56
Game 2:
Blizzards Blue 72 - Blizzards Yellow 32
Player of the Game - Kirby Panganiban
Game 3:
Blizzards 71 - Mayhem 41
Player of the Game - Lane Welch
Game 4:
Blizzards 50 - Eastman Wolverines 32
Player of the Game - Jiro Umali
Game 5:
Blizzards 46 - Hot Shots 43 (Semi Finals)
Player of Game - Kevin Banuik
Game 6:
Blizzards 64 - Jr. Bison White 54 (Championship Finals)
Back in September, our team started with a team building exercise with a goal to win a championship one day. However, there were challenges along the way. The old and new players were still uncomfortable with one another. It reflected on the court as well.
During PegCity League, I have one purpose in mind during the 1st showcase, which was the Magic tournament, that was to give each of the new player the exposure to this level of competition. We were losing games and coaches and players from other clubs were asking me why I'm doing a 5-in and 5-out with 2- or 3-minute duration per wave. I have one response to them --- everyone goes to playoffs.
It was not an easy ride for us. There were players who decided to leave due to playing time, personal reasons and school work. The team is thankful for those who stayed committed and patience and believing in the team.
Fast forward to last showcase... we did upset after upset because we were a low seeded team. We started cold on all our playoff and finals games. But the boys became players. They played harder and more intensity as the games gone longer.
With the sound of the buzzer, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! Great Christmas gift to all the players and the rest of the Blizzards family.