Justin Brownlee Jr. and Fil-Am Nation Select LA-Devance reigned supreme in the 14-and-under division of NBTC-Manila Live on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In a lopsided affair, Fil-Am Nation LA made quick work of Blue Steel Basketball in the 14U Finals, 101–81.
Braedon Gupilan, daughter of former Gilas Women forward Shelley Gupilan, led all scorers with 23 points in 28 minutes of action, while Isaiah Jackson and Justin Brownlee Jr. followed with 16 and 15 markers, respectively. Fellow second-generation talent Jace Devance also chipped in nine points for Fil-Am Nation.
Meanwhile, McRyan Macasarte paced the San Pablo City-based Blue Steel squad with a team-high 17 points. The Midsayap native was supported by fellow double-digit scorers James Manatad, who had 14, and James Enriquez, who added 13.
Fil-Am Nation had earlier captured the boys’ 12U and 19U titles, along with the 16U girls’ crown, marking their fourth title of the weekend.
However, in the rest of Sunday’s divisions, the Fil-Am squads were unable to replicate their 14U success.
Redeeming themselves from their UAAP Season 88 Finals loss last week, the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups fended off a late third-quarter comeback by Fil-Nation and pulled away in the fourth to secure the 19U girls’ crown, 80–68.
Aubrey Lapasaran led the Lady Bullpups and was named Most Outstanding Player after scoring a game-high 21 points en route to the title, with support from Ruiza Olmos, who added 17.
The San Beda Red Cubs claimed the 18-and-under title in another blowout, this time against D’Generals x Homecourt UAE Middle East, 71–49.
Edlex Bonzalida was named Most Outstanding Player, leading the Red Cubs with 12 points, matching the output of Dwayne Donato, who also finished with a dozen.
For Homecourt UAE, Austine Duru topped the box score with 16 markers despite the runner-up finish.
In the 16-and-under division, the Tiger Cubs defeated Fil-Am Nation LA, 84–63.
The Manu Inigo-led squad took control early, building a double-digit 39–27 lead at halftime. They never looked back, with Justin Bathan spearheading the charge with 20 points as UST sealed the 21-point victory.
CJ Tabugga also provided quality minutes, scoring 16 points in 19 minutes, while Carl Canapi, Raj Sidhu, and David Regala rounded out the team’s double-digit scorers.
On the other hand, Arizona-based Jayden Elias Centeno and Florida’s Dillon Brody Blancas each scored 13 points to lead Fil-Am Nation in the loss.
