CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team defeated the Gilas Legends 133-65 in front of a passionate crowd of supporters at Beyond the Hoops, hosted Saturday inside the Jack Simpson Gym.

In their first taste of competition since the Canada West Playoff Tournament in February, Calgary did not need much time to shake off the rust. The Dinos opened the game on a 14-0 run and scored 24 or more points in each quarter en route to the 68-point win.

Nate Petrone set the tone for the game with a clinical performance beyond the arch. The First Team All-Canadian shot 9-for-11 on three-pointers and finished the night with 29 points.

Gary David, a five-time all-star in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), led the way for the Legends with 18 points. Jeffrei Chan and Beau Belga also had solid outings with 14 points each. 

Calgary marked the first stop on the Gilas' Legends' Canadian tour. The squad of current and former professionals from the PBA were well supported Saturday with the city's Filipino community coming out to cheer on the visitors. The Legends will continue their tour on Sunday in Regina before returning to Alberta for Edmonton and Red Deer contests, July 6-7. 

"It was great to see the city come out. Basketball is a huge thing in Calgary – if you don't know, now you know," said Dinos forward Aidan Smith. "You see the turnout, the fandom, the jerseys, the kids. I am happy that we could be the hosts to show how good we have it here. We have a huge Filipino community in Calgary and I am glad they all came out."

Saturday's matchup had additional meaning for Aidan Smith, who returned from injury to play in his first competitive game in 575 days. It was also his first chance to share the court with his brother Cian Smith, who joined the Dinos last season.

Aidan Smith posted 19 points in his return, while Cian Smith nearly matched his older brother with 16.

"I have so many people I want to thank, the medical staff, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who came to get me back to this point. It is a blessing - I am grateful – I can't even put into words how it feels," added Aidan Smith. "Family is the most important thing in life. He has such a bright future and I am just happy to see where he goes from here."

The Dinos will return to training until their next slate of games at the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League – a foreign exhibition tour in the Bahamas – later this summer against schools from the NCAA.

Stay tuned to GoDinos.com for the release of the 2024-25 Canada West men's basketball schedule next week and the launch of Dinos season tickets on July 17.

-UC-