Team Manitoba’s men’s basketball team is turning heads at the 2025 Canada Summer Games with a string of solid performances and undeniable chemistry on the court. With momentum building, three of the team’s standout players—Liam Jaro, Settimo Yugu, and Bruno Van Bewer—shared their thoughts on the Games experience so far, reflecting on the team’s journey, the atmosphere in St. John’s, and what it means to represent Manitoba on a national stage.

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- Liam Jaro -

What does it mean to you to represent Team Manitoba at your first Canada Games?

Representing a place I was born and raised from will always stick with me, it means a lot being blessed and honoured to play for Manitoba at such a big stage.

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What are you most excited to prove or show in this tournament — to yourself or others?

I’m excited to prove to everyone that Manitoba has players that can play, and I want to prove to myself that I can compete at a high level.

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When things get tough in a game, what do you say or do to help keep your teammates locked in?

When things get tough in a game I’ll try to keep my energy and positivity high to try to help boost my teammates around me.

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‍- Bruno Van Bewer -

What does it mean to you to represent Team Manitoba at your first Canada Games?

It’s an honour. Wearing the Team Manitoba colours, feels like the result of years of hard work, early mornings, and sacrifices. It’s not just about me—it’s about representing my province, my teammates, my coaches, and everyone who’s supported me along the way. It’s a chance to show what Manitoba athletes are capable of on a national stage.

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If a younger athlete looked up to you, what advice would you give them about preparing for a big opportunity like this?

Stay consistent. Talent is important, but what really gets you here is showing up every day ready to improve, even when it’s hard. Trust your training, listen to your coaches, and remember that preparation isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. Visualize your success, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to dream big.

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What went through your mind when you first stepped onto the court in the Team Manitoba colours?

It was a mix of pride, nerves, and excitement all at once. I thought about the journey it took to get here and the people who helped me along the way. Mostly, I felt grateful—and determined to give my absolute best for my team and my province.

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- Settimo Yugu -

What does it mean to you to represent Team Manitoba at your first Canada Games?

It’s an honour to represent my province at the Canada Games this year. I think this is truly a great experience seeing all the athletes that had to work to get here, it’s very good to see that our hard-work from the summer has finally paid off.

What’s something people don’t see behind the scenes with this team — any rituals, inside jokes, or moments that really bonded you all?

Something people don’t see behind the scenes is definitely our hard-work. I would say as a team we work very hard every practice or every game, we would wake up early to get shots at practice, we always make each other work at.

What makes this team special compared to other teams you've been a part of?

What makes our team special is definitely our bond and our hard-work. Some of us have known each other for a while and made that bond off the court so we have good chemistry on the court.