The Montréal Alliance welcome the Calgary Surge to Verdun Auditorium Monday night with playoff positioning taking centre stage. Fresh off clinching their postseason berth, the Alliance now turn their attention to securing home court advantage in the opening round while facing a Western Conference powerhouse fighting for their own seeding.

With their playoff spot secured, the Alliance can now focus on climbing the Eastern Conference standings. Currently fourth at 8-12, Montréal trails both Ottawa (10-11) and Scarborough (11-11) but remains within striking distance with four games remaining. A third-place finish would reward the Alliance with a first-round home playoff game, while a second-place finish would earn them a bye to the second round and the right to host that crucial contest.

The math is encouraging for Alliance fans hoping to see postseason basketball at Verdun Auditorium. With games still to play against teams they’ve competed well against this season, the opportunity for home playoff advantage remains very much alive.

The Surge arrive in Montréal as one of the CEBL’s elite teams, sitting second in the Western Conference at 14-7. Their 7-4 road record demonstrates their ability to win away from home, making them a formidable test for an Alliance squad looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs.

Calgary enters on a one-game winning streak and carries their own playoff positioning motivation. Like the Alliance, the Surge are fighting for seeding advantages, specifically the potential to finish above Vancouver and earn their own second-round bye. This ensures Monday’s matchup features two motivated teams with legitimate playoff aspirations.

Calgary brings one of the league’s most potent offensive attacks, led by a quartet of elite scorers. Evan Gilyard II paces the Surge with 20.4 points and 4.1 assists per game, while Greg Brown provides 20.3 points and 8.1 rebounds while showcasing arguably the most explosive athleticism in the CEBL.

Jameer Nelson Jr. adds another dimension with 20.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, complemented by his 3.3 steals that create transition opportunities. Sean Miller-Moore rounds out their balanced attack with 18.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, giving Calgary multiple weapons capable of taking over games.

The Alliance counter with their own proven triumvirate. Tavian Dunn-Martin continues his stellar campaign with 18.2 points and 6.5 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier floor generals. Quincy Guerrier provides consistent production at 17.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Tavis “Pistol” Smith adds 14.0 points and 5.0 assists.

Kevin Osawe enters Monday’s contest with tremendous momentum following his playoff-clinching 26-point performance against Brampton. Shamiel Stevenson is expected to make his comeback after missing four games due to personal commitments. Having never played alongside Quincy Guerrier, Stevenson’s integration could provide the Alliance with additional depth and versatility at a crucial time.

With Ben Stevens and Alain Louis likely sidelined with lower body injuries, expect expanded roles for Sascha Kappos and Nate Tshimanga. Both players have shown flashes this season and could provide the Alliance with additional depth and versatility at a crucial time.

Following Monday’s matchup, the Alliance host Ottawa Wednesday night for their final regular season home game before closing with road contests in Ottawa (August 8) and Scarborough (August 10).

The pressure is off in terms of simply making the playoffs, but the opportunity to improve seeding and potentially host postseason games provides plenty of motivation for both players and fans alike.

Game Information



Date: Monday, August 4, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM ET

Doors: 6:00 PM ET

Location: Verdun Auditorium, Montréal

Broadcast: RDS, CEBL+, TSN+