Fil-Am Nation Select-USA capped off total domination by global teams in the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls by defeating UAAP king Adamson High School, 79-71, on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Andy Gemao continued to shine until the final match with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while also receiving support from Terrence Hill, who contributed 12 points, five assists, and four boards.
Hill came through when it mattered most, scoring all but five points in the Fil-Americans’ 11-3 surge to end the game—and to end the global teams’ eight-year quest for a championship. The Philippine national under-19 basketball championship began welcoming international squads back in 2016, and it was only today that a global team secured either a Division 1 or 2 crown.
Earlier, Canada’s Top Flight Sports reigned in Division 2 before Hill led Fil-Am Nation late in the Division 1 final, securing twin victories for international squads.
The 6-foot-2 guard ended up averaging 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, earning him the title of Ato Badolato Division 1 Most Outstanding Player.
Joining Hill in the Division 1’s Mythical Five were teammates Gemao Jacob Bayla, and Adamson’s Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes, while Fil-American Eian Lowe was recognized as the Best Defensive Player.
It was a dominant run for Fil-Am Nation, which undoubtedly used its finals loss from last year to go unbeaten in the tournament, also supported by adidas, Molten, Swish, and Farm Fresh Dairy. This run included a significant win that dethroned three-time champion National University-Nazareth School.
The Division 2’s individual awardees included Ato Badolato Division 2 Most Outstanding Player Allen Vergara (Top Flight), along with Mythical Team members Russel Bayani (Eco Green Technology-Makati), Lauro Pronda (Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas), Justin Cargo (St. Roberts International College-Iloilo), and Jaymark Lloren (Arellano High School). PCU-Dasma’s John Carl Catayong was awarded Best Defensive Player.
Ryan Garcia led with 20 points, including four triples, JC Espinosa contributed 17 points, and Jakobi Matalabos posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 boards for Topflight Sports.
The tournament also featured the Manila Live finals earlier in the day, where National University-Nazareth School and Fil-Can Nation Select were crowned champions of the inaugural Girls 19U and Boys 19U tournaments, respectively.
The Lady Bullpups withstood Naomi Panganiban’s 51-point explosion to defeat Fil-Am Nation Select, 78-73, while the Fil-Canadians triumphed over Fil-Am Nation Select, 82-76, in the boys final.
Manila Live is the invitational tournament running concurrently with the NBTC National Finals, featuring a total of 100 teams competing in Girls 19U, Boys 19U, Boys 16U, and Boys 14U competitions. The Boys 16U title was secured by Fil-Am Nation Select 1, which defeated Mighty Warriors, 103-95, while Homegrown (Victoria) claimed the Boys 14U championship after routing Xavier, 99-65.
