Team Tarlac claims NBTC Division 2 title

The Division 2 final of the 2023 SMART-NBTC National saw Team Tarlac pull off a come-from-behind 86-84 victory over Royal Trading Star-Don Bosco-Dumaguete on Sunday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Negrense side led by as much as twenty in the first half, before Team Tarlac took over in the final twenty minutes to become the first champion that is a non-school entrant in the competition.

Head coach Julius dela Vega shares, "This is a big thing for us, our province, and all provincial teams. We've shown we can compete."

Earl Sapasap sparked a 6-1 run that turned a 76-77 deficit into a 82-78 advantage with 2:56 remaining, but the Greywolves hung on until a Kit Bonus bucket made its 86-82 with 42 seconds remaining. Bonus would finish with 21 points, four rebounds, five steals, and three blocks.

Providing additional support for Team Tarlac are RJ Liwanag's eighteen points, with Jahmir Adrian Eligado contributing sixteen.

Matthew Jucom led Don Bosco with 25 points, but managed just five markers in the second half. MJ Hendric Vailoces netted sixteen points, while Jay Stephen Garupil chipped in fifteen of his own. Also tallying in double figures are John Mycco Deposoy and Cary Bruce Aure with ten apiece in a losing effort.

Team Tarlac joins fellow Division 2 champions La Salle-Lipa, Assumption Montessori School, and St. Augustine Institute.

The NBTC National Finals is backed by Smart, SM, Strong Realty and Development Corp., Under Armour, and Molten. It is also supported by Tecno, Regent, Rebisco, Jollibee, San Miguel Corp., Maynilad, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, MNL Kingpin, Gatorade, Swish App by NBN23, Victory Liner, Jasper Jean, Darlington, Exped, Mr. Freeze, Coach E Basketball School, Lighthouse Events, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.