Team Tarlac, Don Bosco-Dumaguete score reversals

MANILA, Philippines — Unheralded squads Team Tarlac and Royal Trading Star Don Bosco-Dumaguete arranged a surprise final duel after stinging upsets over heavily-favored counterparts in the Smart-NBTC Nationals Finals Division 2 yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Tarlac took down perennial UAAP contender Ateneo High School, 86-77, with Don Bosco pulling the rug from under overseas bet Homegrown Australia, 82-58, in the knockout semifinals.

Matthew James Jucom bannered Don Bosco’s balanced attack with 20 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals against the formidable squad from Australia.

John Mycco Deposoy (15), Cary Bruce Aure (14) and Almarlon Winters Jr. (10) fired key contributions for Don Bosco, which leaned on a strong start to lead by as many as 27 points.