Fil-Am Nation Select USA completes three-peat, locks down UST in OT

Fil-Am Nation Select USA have successfully retained the NBTC National Finals crown after outlasting UST Tiger Cubs x D’Generals in overtime, 85-75, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Fil-Am Nation are the first team to successfully claim three successive titles after National University Nazareth School completed the same feat in 2023.

Blaze Johnson, currently the 16th ranked player in ESPN’s Class of 2028 high school rankings, showed why he is considered a highly rated prospect, posting all around numbers of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

Competing for the first time in the country, the 16-year-old credited the Fil-Am Nation program for properly platforming himself and his teammates this year.

“Coaches, directors did a great job in putting this team together. So, we know what we had and we just had a lot of confidence going into every game, knowing that we’re the guys. I’m just grateful that we were able to finish it up,” said Johnson.

Due to his stellar play in the finals and throughout the tournament, the six-foot-two point guard was vested with Ato Badolato Most Outstanding Player honors.

After Johnson’s transition basket to force another five minutes, the five-star recruit quickly carried over his momentum by drilling a wide open shot from the corner, 77-75.

From there, the reigning champions locked in on the defensive side of the ball, denying the Tiger Cubs of points in overtime.

Timely baskets from Quali Giran and Elias Gish ultimately put the heated contest to bed and gave their squad its third straight NBTC title.

Giran, a six-foot guard from Long Beach, California, finished with a team-high 23 points to go along with five assists and five rebounds.

Despite dropping their first matchup in this year’s tournament Fil-Am Nation head coach Jeff Dosado credited his boys for embodying resilience and rising above adversity.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity and platform for this young group of young men to compete on the global stage. It was probably in our favor to face adversity early on,” Dosado said after reflecting on their seeding game loss against Phenom NZ Blue Fire.

“Sometimes when you go into a certain environment and you have a target on your back, and everybody is coming for you; I give so much credit to our boys, they answered the call and played with a tremendous amount of poise despite a bunch of them being young men,” the tactician added.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs finished their run from the Wildcard round as this year’s Division 1 runners-up. Jetlee Melano led the team in scoring with 25 points, while Charles Esteban chalked up a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Division 2 Finals - Mapua def. Top Flight Sports Canada, 79-75

In Division 2, Mapua were crowned champions after surviving a late comeback attempt by Top Flight Sports Vancouver Canada, with the game ending, 79-75.

Red Robins guard and eventual Ato Badolato Most Outstanding Player Froilan Reyes notched a big double-double to help his team overcome the 2024 Division 2 champions, scoring 17 points while grabbing 12 boards. 

Also incurring a double-double statline, swingman Mj Bernabe chalked up 16 points and 10 rebounds to go along with a couple of assists.

On the other hand, Top Flight Sports were led by guard Riley Santa Juana, topping the scoring charts with 24 points. Robyn Florendo swiftly followed suit with 16 points and six rebounds.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News