Savannah Mackay
Blues Crew, Communications
Ready to set the pace early, the Capilano Blues first needed to get some defensive stops.
Capilano found themselves down 27-20 after the first quarter but turned the tide in the second to take a 47-42 lead at halftime. Sukhraj Garcha opened the first quarter strong with two quick layups and getting the Blues on the board right away. Zach Hamed followed with a three-pointer, where Kash Lang and Afu Bullock both added layups of their own to keep the momentum going. Five minutes into the game, Zach Klim added his first points of the night, but the Royals quickly responded, finding gaps in CapU’s defense and putting pressure on the Blues. After the Royals caught up, CapU called a timeout to reset. Justin Pamintuan started his night with a layup, and Klim followed with another strong finish inside.
The second quarter saw a shift in energy. Bullock and Anthony Tamburrino were key in helping the Blues fight their way back into the lead, while Alfonso Reyes made important contributions on both ends of the floor. Bullock and Klim kept attacking, putting steady pressure on the Royals’ defense. The energy from the bench carried onto the court as CapU slowly pulled ahead, heading into halftime with a 47–42 lead.
Starting the third quarter up five, Hamed started the scoring with a three and helped set the tone for the rest of the quarter. CapU’s defense tightened, making it harder for the Royals to find their way to the net. Hamed knocked down another three, and Bullock continued his strong two-way play. A three from Lang pushed the score to 53–45 as the Blues worked well together, especially through the connection between Bullock and Klim. The play grew more physical as the quarter went on, and with five minutes left, the score sat 55–49. Garcha added another layup, and Pamintuan came off the bench to do the same, bringing the score to 61–53. Daniel Abkenar made an immediate impact after subbing in, finishing layups in the paint and grabbing key rebounds. The Royals managed to close the gap late in the quarter, but CapU answered each time. By the end of the third, the Blues held onto a narrow 65–62 lead.
The fourth quarter began with an early three from Tamburrino, but a brief scoring lull allowed the Royals to climb back and tie the game. Rather than panic, the Blues settled in. Garcha answered with a steady basket, and Kash followed with a three that helped CapU regain control at a crucial moment. From there, the Blues shifted their focus to defense. With Hamed and Klim adding timely points as CapU slowly rebuilt their lead, while Garcha continued to step up in key possessions. Even after a Royals timeout late in the quarter, the Blues stayed composed, relying on disciplined defense and smart shot selection to close out the game and secure the win 85-78.
The Blues are back at the Centre for Sport and Wellness tomorrow at 7 p.m. in a rematch against the Royals.
