The CMU Men's Basketball program has announced the commitment of Caden Tugade for the 2024-25 MCAC and NIAC seasons. The Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute and Crossover Basketball product will look to be an impact playmaker on the point for the Blazers this upcoming year.
Following in the footsteps of recently graduated shooting guard Binh Nguyen, as well as standout rookie from last season Lance Catipon, Tugade is making the jump from Daniel McIntyre to the Blazers for his first year of college eligibility. Playing in the Winnipeg Tier 1 zone of the MHSAA "AAAA" division, Tugade's Maroons had a number of tournament finals appearances en route to a Provincial Championships berth. A finals appearance in their first tournament of the year in Brandon was followed by another second-place finish in their own DMCI tournament, and then the team brought it all together to win the Centurion Shootout at Fort Richmond Collegiate in late January. The Maroons also medalled at St Paul's High School at the Nick Laping Memorial, where Tugade was recognized as a player of the game and defensive player of the game in the same tournament. A captain on the squad since his grade ten season, Tugade helped DMCI past the Miles Mac Buckeyes in this year's high school provincial championships, but saw their run end in the elite eight stage. He was named a zone All-Star for Winnipeg Tier 1, as well as a "AAAA" Graduating All-Star following the team's championship run in March. A multi-sport athlete, Tugade also competes for his high school in Badminton, ultimate, and volleyball, as well as in Football Manitoba's flag football league.
An early starter in club basketball with Blizzards and Spirits club, Tugade has played a majority of his club ball with Attack Basketball, but most recently with Crossover for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. His Crossover team placed second at last year's club provincial championships, and look to challenge for the title again this upcoming June. A winner at a tournament in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan last April, Tugade has met some of the top talent from across Canada and the US in his time playing club. Perhaps a highlight of his young career thus far, he attended the Fil-Can Global Summit Showcase in Houston, Texas where he competed against top Filipino youth players from around the world. Closer to home, Tugade received Winnipeg's PBA league Crossover Tournament MVP, as well as the ABL league Player of the Year during his time with Attack Basketball.
The shifty point guard is very excited to have the opportunity to play at the next level while studying psychology at CMU. His ability to make plays from the point and facilitate to his teammates reminds Blazers head coach of another undersized star from the NBA: "Caden reminds me of NBA legend Muggsy Bogues. He's a very intelligent player, contributes to winning, and is a great leader. In short, don't underestimate him." As someone who strives to be good at everything he pursues, Tugade will certainly fit into coach Martin's team culture, and with continued hard work has the opportunity to be an impact player on the Blazers and in the conference both North and South of the border.
The Blazers Men's Basketball program captured their first MCAC title since 2017 this past March, and a revamped NIAC and MCAC schedule that sees the St Boniface Rouges enter the American conference looks to make for another exciting campaign both here in Manitoba as well as in the Northern United States as the team looks to defend their Manitoba title and challenge for a NIAC Championship banner in 2025.