Mangubat, Hubilla lead Heavy Bombers to preseason statement win over San Beda

Tiger Scores365

Jose Rizal University entered the preseason looking to make a statement.

It left with another championship — and a warning for the rest of the NCAA.

The Heavy Bombers completed a dominant preseason campaign by sweeping defending champion San Beda, 74-67, in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup finals on Thursday in San Juan, adding another trophy to their collection before the NCAA Season 102 seniors basketball tournament begins on September 13.

The victory marked JRU’s second preseason title in two months after the Heavy Bombers also ruled the 2026 U-Belt Invitational Tournament last June by beating Emilio Aguinaldo College in the finals.

At the center of JRU’s latest triumph was Lawrence Mangubat, who delivered when it mattered most.

The veteran guard carried the Heavy Bombers’ offense with 27 points, three rebounds, and three assists before calmly knocking down the game-sealing free throws with 10.5 seconds left to silence any chance of a San Beda comeback.

"Ayaw ko lang matalo," said Mangubat, who earned Tournament MVP honors.

But JRU’s championship was not built on offense alone.

Mythical Team selection Chris Hubilla set the tone defensively, delivering a crucial block on Daniel Marcelo in the final minute that effectively ended the Red Lions’ hopes. Hubilla finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists while providing the defensive presence that allowed the Heavy Bombers to close out the victory.

Beyond their two stars, coach Nani Epondulan saw his depth shine through.

Stephen Garupil came up big in the fourth quarter with two timely three-pointers and finished with nine points. Jahmir Eligado stepped into the starting lineup and nearly posted a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Allan Laurenaria added nine points, four rebounds, and two steals.

"From the start, yun naman ang tinatrabaho namin. Mentally naiready namin sila," said Epondulan.

Mangubat and Hubilla earned spots on the Mythical Team alongside San Beda’s Aldous Torculas, Letran’s Titing Manalili, and University of the Philippines’ Veejay Pre.

The title capped an impressive run for JRU, which lost only once during the preseason and proved its consistency by defeating San Beda in all three of their meetings, including a 70-59 Game 1 victory.

After finishing second in the inaugural 2006 edition of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Heavy Bombers finally claimed the championship trophy they had been chasing for nearly two decades.

San Beda fought behind Zed Etulle, who finished with 14 points and four rebounds, while Torculas struggled to find his rhythm, scoring 13 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

With preseason dominance now behind them, JRU heads into NCAA Season 102 carrying confidence — and a clear message that the Heavy Bombers are ready for the battles ahead.