MANILA — Jose Rizal University moved within one victory of its first-ever Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup championship after toppling San Beda University, 70-59, in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series Tuesday night at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers seized control of the series behind the veteran tandem of Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla while stifling the Red Lions with relentless defense that forced 18 turnovers.
Mangubat led JRU with 22 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, while Hubilla backed him up with 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals in another stellar all-around effort.
The victory gives the Heavy Bombers a chance to wrap up the championship in Game 2 on Thursday at 5 p.m. and finally capture the school’s first Filoil preseason title. A championship would also erase the disappointment of JRU’s runner-up finish in the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2006.
Head coach Nani Epondulan credited the leadership of Mangubat and Hubilla for JRU’s remarkable transformation into a legitimate title contender.
“Before, laging kong sinasabi sa inyo na nag-mature na y’ung mga players. Pero iba ‘yung leadership na dinala ni Chris at tsaka ni Lawrence sa team,” said Epondulan.
Epondulan added that the Heavy Bombers’ breakthrough run is part of a long-term effort to restore the school’s championship tradition in the NCAA.
“Alam naman natin kung gaano na katagal [hindi nag-champion ang JRU sa NCAA]. Pero binubuhay namin ulit yung winning culture ng school. Mahirap, pero pag nagawa naman namin at tinrabaho namin, hindi sila makakalimutan ng tao,” he said.
San Beda struggled offensively throughout the contest, with Zed Etulle emerging as the lone Red Lion in double figures after tallying 14 points and four rebounds. Kurt Torculas contributed nine points, while Hawkins added eight as San Beda fell behind, 0-1, in the championship series./PN
