Fiona Santiago signs her commitment with Providence (left), and in action with the JPII Crusaders (right). (Submitted photos/Fiona Santiago)

By Martin Martinson

The Next Chapter

Crusaders standout, Santiago commits to Providence Pilots

Mar 30, 2023 | 3:00 PM

North Battleford’s Fiona Santiago is primed for the next step in her basketball journey, having recently committed to the Providence University College (PUC) Pilots women’s basketball program.

While basketball has always been a passion, at 5-foot-3, Santiago said she had some doubts as to if she would ever get the opportunity to pursue her dream of taking her game to the post-secondary level.

“It has always been my goal, I just never admitted it to anyone because I didn’t think that I would make it,” she said. “Back in Grade 11, a lot of people were asking me if I was going to play college basketball and I always just said no, because of my height and I didn’t know if I was good enough. I didn’t expect this and it kind of surprised me honestly, but I know I can do it.”

Santiago moved the Battlefords from the Philippines back in 2016.

Despite her smaller stature, Santiago quickly established herself as a force over her five years with the Crusaders’ basketball program from Grades 8-12. There, she used her agility and sense of the game to make both herself and her teammates dangerous from the point guard position.

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That ability to read the play and find the open target is what she intends to bring to the next level with the Pilots, who are based in Otterburne, Man.

“As a point guard I just always try to understand my choices on the court,” Santiago said. “I try to understand the people I’m with on the court and their position as much as I can, so when I’m out there with the ball I can dribble it and pass the ball knowing where my teammates are at.”

Head coach of the Providence women’s team, and 2023 MCAC (Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year, Joel Coursey said via social media the team is excited about adding Santiago to the program.

“We are thrilled to add Fiona,” Coursey said. “Fiona is a tough, physically strong player who will be able to her own space on the court. She is a skilled guard with a nice jump shot [and] her passion and buy-in were big attractions for us. I think she will excel playing in the system and we expect Fiona to fit right into the Providence community.”

Providence University College finished the 2022-23 basketball season second overall in the MCAC Women’s Basketball standings with a 4-4 record.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1