From trailing by four with just over two minutes left in regulation to cruising to a double-digit lead in overtime, Fil-Am Nation USA etched its name in Philippine basketball history by claiming a third straight crown at the 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM.
The Fil-Ams survived a furious push by University of Santo Tomas, eventually prevailing 85-75 in the Division 1 championship on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Blaze Johnson led the charge with a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double and four assists, earning the Ato Badolato Most Outstanding Player award.
Quali Giran matched his intensity with 23 points, five boards, and five assists, combining with Johnson for critical back-to-back baskets that erased a 71-75 deficit at the 2:19 mark of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 75-all.
The Tiger Cubs had a chance to snatch the title late in regulation, but Carsson Vidanes mishandled a feed from Kirk Canete with 18.1 seconds remaining.
Johnson couldn’t deliver the game-winner on the next possession, but his baseline jumper in overtime sparked a 14-0 run that sealed the Fil-Ams’ historic three-peat.
Daniel Johnson, Elias Gish, and Bas Margate contributed key defensive stops, keeping UST scoreless for the final seven minutes.
“Throughout the tournament, we always talk about stops, or kills, or a string of stops. This time, we can say defense did win a championship,” said coach Jeff Dosada, joining the ranks of champions like Byron Scott and Chris Gavina.
Fil-Am Nation USA now stands alongside National University Nazareth School, which captured three consecutive titles from 2019-23, as the reigning powers of the Philippine under-19 national championship.
Despite the loss, Jetlee Melano led UST with 25 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
Melano and fellow Tiger Cub Joaqui Ludovice were honored in the Mythical 5, alongside Clintone Pico of Arceegee-St. Clare and Fritz John Gonzales of University of San Jose-Recoletos.
In Division 2, Malayan High School emerged as the new champion, edging out Top Flight Canada, 79-75.
Froilan Reyes spearheaded the Red Robins’ victory with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, earning both Most Outstanding Player honors and a Mythical 5 spot alongside teammate Ray Relojo.
The rest of the Division 2 Mythical 5 included Riley Santa Juana of Top Flight Canada, Jason Bundalian of Crossover Canada, and Duke Solon of Mindanao’s RSY Group of Companies.
