Fil-Am Nation Select-USA wrapped up the total domination by global teams in the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls by besting UAAP king Adamson High School, 79-71, on Sunday, March 24, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Andy Gemao kept shining until the final match with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists while also welcoming a helping hand from Terrence Hill who chimed in 12 markers, five assists, and four boards.
Hill came through when it mattered most as well as he scored all but five points in the Fil-Americans’ 11-3 rush to end the game — and to end global teams’ eight-year search for a championship.
The Philippine national under-19 basketball championship began bringing in international squads back in 2016, and it was only today that a global team won either a Division 1 or 2 crown.
Earlier, Canada’s Top Flight Sports ruled Division 2 before Hill carried Fil-Am Nation late in the Division 1 final for twin wins by international squads. The 6-foot-2 guard wound up averaging 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists en route to being hailed as the 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 Best Defensive Player.
It was a dominant run for Fil-Am Nation which, without a doubt, used its finals loss from last year to go unbeaten in the tournament also supported by adidas, Molten, Swish, and Farm Fresh Dairy. This also included a big-time win that dethroned three-time champion National University-Nazareth School.
The Division 2’s individual awardees were composed of Ato Badolato Division 2 Most Outstanding Player Allen Vergara (Top Flight) alongside 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 the Best Defensive Player.
