Two years ago, Phenom Championship Clinic founder Anthony Brodette issued a challenge to Fil-Am Nation Select: a pick-up game between the two agencies’ top talents to determine who truly has the best talent identification program in the country.
“I challenge Fil-Am Nation to bring together all your talents — from your current UAAP players to your new guys — and face off against the Phenoms’ talent. Let’s see who will outplay whom and prove who’s the true premier talent identifier in the Philippines. Tara, one-time lang,” Brodette posted.
“Bring along your Harris’ and your former Batang Gilas players, but I’ll also bring LeBron Lopez. Let’s find out who’s the best once and for all. (Vhoris) Marasigan and (Mowell) Morales showed you what two players can do last NBTC. Now, let’s see what 16 strong can do against your Class A athletes,” continued the former NU Bulldogs assistant coach.
“I’m not angry or mad; I just want to find out how good you guys really are. You’ve called yourselves the #1 talent identifier in the Philippines. Tara, let’s dance, let’s tango.”
Though the feud has simmered down over time, the long-awaited match-up is about to happen.
On Sunday, Phenom Bluefire, a club team representing Pasay, will face the defending NBTC champions from the USA in the final at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Both teams, however, took different paths to the national championship.
Phenom had to go through the wild card phase to gain entry into the nationals. Once in, they dominated, defeating AGCCI (79-66), Chrisveil Sports (69-66), USPF (91-81), and UST (89-72) to become the first-ever wild card club to advance to the gold medal match.
Meanwhile, Fil-Am Nation cruised through the competition, soundly beating St. Jude (97-67), Momsies Kitchenette (62-55), Arellano (84-67), and NUNS (85-73).
Now, with the bad blood having simmered down, the founders of each club are simply focused on bringing out the best in each other.
“We are blessed to be part of the Final 4 alongside such talented teams. We’re just here to take a shot at it,” said Brodette.
“Being in the final is truly a blessing for us, and it’s the result of a great team effort from the players, coaches, and management.”
The final will also showcase some of the best talent in the country.
(C) NBTC
Bannering Fil-Am Nation are two NCAA Division I commits: Lino Mark (Rutgers) and Andrew Miller (UC-Irvine). Caelum Harris, who is also seeking a Division I offer, is looking to make the most of his final under-19 year with a title.
Meanwhile, headlining Phenom is Kieffer Alas, who hopes to earn a chance at an NCAA Division I school. Also on the team are Gilas Boys standouts Bonn Daja and CJ Amos.
With the feud now in the past, Fil-Am Nation founder Cris Gopez is hopeful that the kids playing in the final will one day represent Gilas Men.
“We’re here to battle. It’s going to showcase the best talent in all of the Philippines,” Gopez said.
“It’s going to be fun to watch, and these kids should definitely be considered to represent the national program someday.”
