Fil-Am Nation, Adamson clash for Division 1 title
Fil-Am Nation Select’s Eian Lowe. –NBTC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The stage is set in the NBTC National Finals after Fil-Am Nation Select-USA zoomed past Batang Tiaong in the Division 1 semifinals, 81-72, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
Fil-Am Nation will compete in the Finals of Division 1 for the second straight time after falling short to National University-Nazareth School last year.
Terrence Hill paced Select-USA with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Andy Gemao, meanwhile, continued his homecoming run victoriously with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
READ: New NBTC Division 1 champion looms as Fil-Am Nation ousts NUNS
Waiting in the final match with Fil-Am is Adamson, which had to subdue a gritty Mapua in its own semis match, 70-65.
Johnray Abayon top scored for the Baby Falcons with 19 big points to lift Adamson in the yearly tournament co-presented by Smart. John Reyes and Justine Garcia, meanwhile, helped the cavalry with 14 points each.
The Red Robins were paced by Sean Salvador with 14 points and four assists but turned the ball over four times in the defeat. Joaquin Coronel also dropped 12 points but to no avail for Mapua.
The one-off final is set for Sunday.
DIVISION 2
Top Flight Canada’s Joey Panghulan nails game winner in the NBTC National Finals’ Division 2 Fearless Four game. –NBTC PHOTO
On the other hand, Top Flight Canada booked its ticket to the Division 2 Finals after squeaking past Arellano, 87-84, in a stunner.
Joey Panghulan of Canada dropped 14 points and five rebounds, including the half-court heave at the buzzer to lift Top Flight over the Braves. Justin Thompson followed suit with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists for the win.
Jaymark Lloren scored 17 for Arellano but to no avail while Johnray Ladica uncorked 21 points in the defeat, as well.
READ: NBTC: Joey Panghulan half-court heave lifts Canada past Arellano
Canada will be facing EcoGreen-Makati after its successful trouncing of PCU-Dasmarinas, 95-82.
Russel Bayani paced Makati with a team-high 27 points with five rebounds to match. Javi Jugo garnered 17 points to his name in the win that pushed EcoGreen to the finalè of Division 2.
Vhon Roldan exploded with a 32-point outburst but to no avail. Lauro Pronda Jr. scored 17, as well, but to no avail as Dasmarinas got bounced out of championship contention.
