Fil-Am Nation broke free with less than five minutes remaining to emerge as NBTC Division 1 champions.
Terrence Hill took charge late as Fil-Am Nation edged Adamson, 79-71, to emerge as NBTC Division 1 champions on Sunday, March 24.
Fil-Am Nation broke free from a 68-all logjam behind Hill, who dropped six of the team's final 11 points to hoist the championship trophy at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
His free throws with 1:20 left on the clock gave the team a comfortable 79-69 advantage they never relinquished.
The team held Adamson to just four points in the final four minutes and 35 seconds of action, proving the old "defense wins championship" line true.
Hill finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists for the US team. He was adjudged as the Ato Badolato Most Outstanding Player.
Andy Gemao led Fil-Am Nation with an all-around outing of 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Caelum Harris added 13 points.
Though deflated in the final minutes, John Medina refused to fold for the Falcons and uncorked a three-pointer off a screen to close in, 79-71.
But his effort went for naught as Fil-Am Nation proceeded to win the title.
Justine Garcia paced the UAAP juniors basketball champions with 20 points, but couldn’t save his squad from the jaws of defeat in the end.
John Reyes and Medina chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for Adamson.