Fil-Am Nation Select-USA wrapped up the total domination by global teams when it beat University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Adamson University, 79-71, to cop the Division I title of the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls late Sunday at the 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 chipped 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 victory marks the first time that a global team won both the Divisions 1 and 2 titles since the prestigious U19 championship started bringing in international squads in 2016.
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.
