Coach Ray Montaniel knows what hunger looks like. Not the kind that skips breakfast — the kind that drives kids in the Philippines to play ball like their lives depend on it. Because for many, it does.
Ray grew up in Scarborough, learning the game on local courts, playing for Mother Teresa High and the Scarborough Blues. He was MVP on the first Blues team to win an OBA title — but his dream was always bigger. He chased it all the way to Manila, trying to break into the pro scene. And when he got there? The promises disappeared. Tryouts vanished. He was on his own.
But that struggle — the uncertainty, the grind, the lessons learned the hard way — became fuel for something bigger: PhilCan Nation Select.
Ray is now the Canadian director for a global platform helping young Filipino players get noticed. From Scarborough to Mississauga, Edmonton to Winnipeg, PhilCan Nation connects overlooked athletes to university scouts, pro opportunities, and even national team pathways. It’s not about building stars — it’s about building bridges.
He teaches players that it’s not just about skill. It’s about impact. It’s about showing up — hungry, disciplined, and ready to win for more than just yourself.
And when Ray brings his teams to Manila for tournaments, he tells them straight: “You’re not just visiting. You’re stepping into someone else’s fight. Respect that.”
For him, this is more than a basketball mission. It’s a family legacy. His wife Belle and their daughters Aba and Luna have stood beside him through every tournament, every long night, every setback. Ray’s vision is clear: to raise a generation of Filipino-Canadian players who know where they come from, and where they can go.
Because in his words — “Being Filipino is special. And the world deserves to see it.”
