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Fil-Am Nation’s Andy Gemao. Photo from NBTC.

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Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1711298915407IMG_3253.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fil-Am Nation’s Andy Gemao. <em>Photo from NBTC</em>.</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Fil-Am Nation made history in the 2024 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals on Sunday.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/24/nbtc-fil-am-nation-clinches-division-1-title-at-adamson-s-expense-2207">NBTC: Fil-Am Nation clinches Division 1 title at Adamson’s expense</a></div><p>They became the first global squad in the history of the tournament to have won the Division 1 Finals after they overcame Adamson University, the reigning UAAP Season 86 high school basketball champions, but it was not a walk in the park.</p><p>Despite Fil-Am Nation holding a 10-point lead, 60-50, in the fourth quarter of their title round clash, the San Marcelino-based team displayed their championship pedigree and slowly clawed back in the game, 65-64.</p><p>Unfortunately for the Baby Falcons, Filipino phenom Andy Gemao was there to spoil their run. Gemao hit a huge triple at the 6:49 mark to create a 68-64 separation and keep his team afloat.</p><p>And while AdU tied the game at 68 following Johnrey Abayon’s 15-foot jumper at the 4:31 mark of the contest, it was Gemao’s previous trey that paved the way for Jacob Bayla, Calum Harris, and Terrence Hill to close out the game and deliver the hits for Fil-Am Nation.</p><p>The trio exchanged baskets and re-extended their lead to 10, 79-69, with a minute and 17 ticks remaining in the game, and that was it — Fil-Am Nation were finally champions.</p><p>“Masaya ako na nakuha namin yung goal na mag champion, and masaya rin ako para sa teammates ko,” Gemao told ABS-CBN News as he was entertaining the selfie and autograph requests of his fans on his way to exit the Mall of Asia Arena.</p><p>“Ilang years na rin [nagco-compete dito] yung Fil-Am Nation eh, tapos hindi sila nagcha-champion,” added the Iligan City native, who had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists in their win. </p><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1711299270130IMG_3255.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gemao during the 2024 NBTC. <em>Handout/NBTC.</em><em></em></span></span></span></div><p>But while this was the first NBTC championship of his new squad that was just formed specifically for this tournament, Gemao is not unfamiliar with winning gold.</p><p>He previously starred in the Letran Squires’ NCAA Season 98 juniors’ basketball tournament, with Gemao earning Finals MVP honors during the Muralla-based squad’s sweep of the La Salle Green Hills Greenies after he tallied 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two games.</p><p>Gemao also previously expressed his commitment to stay in Letran to help them defend their title in Season 99 and was even present during the team’s Pep Rally last September 14, but less than a week later, he was already US-bound.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/20/23/letran-hs-star-andy-gemao-set-to-tryout-for-veritas-prep">READ: Letran HS star Andy Gemao US-bound, set to tryout for Veritas prep</a></div><p>Fortunately, his team had nothing but support and encouragement for him.</p><p>“Sobrang masaya ako kasi si Coach Allen [Ricardo] yung nag handle sa akin,” said Gemao, who moved to the United States to try his luck with Veritas Academy and play for their high school squad.</p><p>“Sobrang supportive niya noon sa akin. Di nila ako pinigilan, at nakita nila kung ano yung mas makakabuti at kung saan ako mag go-grow.” </p><p>“Nakita nila yung importance na ilabas ako sa box, sa comfort zone ko,” he added.</p><p>Gemao was thrilled that despite his departure, the Squires were able to clinch back-to-back NCAA juniors championships.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/23/letran-outlasts-perpetual-to-retain-juniors-basketball-crown-1050">READ: Letran outlasts Perpetual to retain juniors basketball crown</a></div><p>“Sobrang proud ako sa kanila. Close friends ko sila, and kasama ko sila sa hirap and sa mga wins, kaya super proud ako of them,” said Gemao.</p><p>On the flip side, his stay in the US was not easy for the player.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/23/how-letran-s-titing-manalili-made-a-name-for-himself-in-the-ncaa-2026">From Cebu to Intramuros: How Letran’s Titing Manalili made a name for himself in the NCAA</a></div><p>While Gemao competed and played for Veritas Prep in numerous games during his stay in the States, he said that overseas talent opened his eyes that there is still a long way to go for him. </p><p>“Siguro yung pinaka challenge sa akin is malaking shift sa play style and athleticism ng mga kalaban,” said Gemao, who was already showing impressive athleticism when he played for Letran and during the 2023 NBTC All-Star Game as he wowed the fans with thunderous dunks.</p><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1711299228628IMG_3254.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gemao at the 2024 NBTC. <em>Handout/NBTC</em></span></span></span></div><p>Aside from this, the overall change in scenery also served as one of the challenges that he faced, Gemao shared.</p><p>“Naging factor din yung pag adjust ko sa mga bagong coaches and teammates ko,” he added.</p><p>On the bright side, this exposure eventually paid off for Gemao as he participated in the 2024 NBA All-Star’s Basketball Without Borders Camp last February in Indiana.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/2/10/andy-gemao-gets-nba-basketball-without-borders-global-camp-invite-1539">READ: Andy Gemao gets NBA Basketball Without Borders Global camp invite</a></div><p>This was a prelude to his successful return to the country with Fil-Am Nation in the NBTC, with Gemao displaying his talent yet again in front of his countrymen throughout the tournament.</p><p>But the question remains -- what’s next for the fan-favorite?</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/18/gemao-fil-am-nation-rout-pcu-dasmari-as-in-nbtc-2334">NBTC: Andy Gemao triumphant in return as Fil-Am Nation routs PCU-Dasmariñas</a></div><p>“Lay low muna ako,” he revealed, while also sharing that he is expected to spend the next few months in the country in the meantime. “Sa summer ko iwe-weigh ko yung options ko. Babalik ako sa US sa July.”</p><p>Asked if there are college teams who are sending feelers and expressing their interest to get his commitment, Gemao kept it short: “Wala pa.” </p><div><br/></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span id="isPasted"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1711299167110IMG_3256.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Gemao during the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Camp. <em>Handout/NBA BWB</em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></div>

<p>Fil-Am Nation made history in the 2024 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals on Sunday, and Filipino stud Andy Gemao played a vital role in their success</p>

Fil-Am Nation made history in the 2024 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals on Sunday, and Filipino stud Andy Gemao played a vital role in their success

Living and chasing the dream: What’s next for Andy Gemao?

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Living and chasing the dream: What’s next for Andy Gemao?

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 25, 2024 08:30 AM PHT

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