The Filipino Canadian Basketball League of Yukon (FCBLY) crowned two more champions on Saturday and Sunday. The playoffs were a resumption of the League's 13th season, which was halted last March, like everything else, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was an action-packed basketball weekend. Saturday, Whitehorse Kia Subaru was crowned the 35 Above champion, while on Sunday, the Air North Jets etched their names in the FCBLY history books by winning the 15U title.

Both the games were played at the Canada Games Centre. Proper COVID-19 protocols were followed to ensure the safety of players and fans. Only the players and referees were unmasked. During stoppage in play, the basketball was switched for one that was sanitized – a new rule instituted by FIBA.

Air North soars to victory

The Air North Jets showed plenty of poise as they defeated MPM 61-50 to win the U15 championship.

The finals were a best-of-three series and in this case, it was winner-take-all. MPM got the best of Air North in the opening game 44-40. However, Air North used ball movement and scrappy defence to win the second game decidedly 50-37, evening the series at one apiece.

The final instalment, game three, was much closer than the 11-point spread would indicate.

In the opening quarter, Air North came ready for takeoff. They built an early lead in the opening minutes by making it a point to get to the hoop. They were successful at this and got plenty of easy buckets.

MPM made the proper defensive adjustments, however, and the paint quickly got sealed off. Air North players still drove into the heart of the defence then made sharp passes out to shooters who knocked down threes at a decent rate.

Basketball is a game of runs, and MPM made theirs in the latter half of the opening stanza. Their shots from deep started to fall. Since Air North had to respect the shooters, MPM was able to get into the paint.

After one frame, it was 23-14 Air North.

That lead continued to dwindle through the second stanza. Using their size advantage, MPM crashed the boards for offensive rebounds and turned those into points.

The two equally-matched sides traded buckets and defensive stops in a very fun game of basketball to witness. The socially-distanced fans made sure they were heard after every play.

MPM took the lead briefly in the waning moments before halftime, but Air North marched down the court and promptly hit a three, then hit a late free-throw to make it 34-31 going into the break.

In the third and fourth quarters, Air North was cleared for takeoff. They built the lead and did not look back as they earned the championship trophy.

Miguel Portea, 15, Isiah Cabiso, 14, and Britony Pagobo, 10, were Air North's double-digit scorers. Quin Monahan, 16, Jonathan Aine, 15, and Pier Deleon, 11, were MPM's.

The Mythical Selection, or the all-star team, were Cabiso, Pagobo, Carlos Magsucang, Jeffries Rumbaoa, and Deleon. Portea was named the finals MVP.

Subaru drives to the title

The 35 Above action kicked off the weekend of basketball. Whitehorse Kia Subaru did not need to stop for gas as they swept North60 Top Spot in the best-of-three series.

In the opening game of the series, Subaru barely edged their North60 counterparts 71-65. The second and final game wasn't as close; Subaru dropped North60 74-62.

Joms Pahilanga led Subaru and all scorers with 24 points. Jo Aying added 15, Dave Stehelin, 14, and Bonbon Posecion, 11.

Dustine Heffner led North60 with 18, John Madrigal chipped in 15 and Andrew Maynard dropped 11.

The 35 Above Mythical Selection were, Aying, Pahilanga, Jicky Cabiso, Heffner, and Madrigal.

The season MVP went to Pahilanga, and Posecion earned finals MVP honours.

Three titles have now been given out by the FCBLY in their 13th season. In the new year, the women will play their final series.