JRU Caps U-Belt S2 Title Run as San Beda Settles for Third

JRU finished the job.

Jose Rizal University turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College, 66-56, to rule the U-Belt Collegiate Invitational Season 2 finals on Thursday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

It was not the cleanest offensive game from the Heavy Bombers, but it was exactly the kind of win that reflected their run through the tournament: physical, steady, and built on control of the glass.

After trailing EAC by two at the end of the first quarter, JRU took charge in the second period, outscoring the Generals, 21-12, to carry a 39-32 lead into halftime. From there, the Heavy Bombers protected their cushion, answered every EAC push, and closed the game with a 16-11 fourth quarter.

The result gave JRU the Season 2 championship in a tournament that grew into a wider preseason battleground, expanding from eight teams in its first year to a 16-team field that brought together schools from the UAAP, NCAA, NAASCU, UCAL, and ISAA.

Chris Hubilla led the Heavy Bombers with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding four steals. Jalen Garcia gave JRU an efficient lift with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and finals MVP Lawrence Mangubat filled the stat sheet with nine points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Allan Laurenaria was just as valuable inside, finishing with eight points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

JRU shot only 35.8 percent from the field and struggled from three-point range at 4-of-24, but the Heavy Bombers made up for it with effort possessions. They outrebounded EAC, 54-44, pulled down 21 offensive boards, and turned those extra chances into a 21-12 advantage in second-chance points. They also won the paint, 30-18, despite EAC trying to make the game uncomfortable with pressure and free throws.

The Generals had chances, especially after taking the first quarter, 20-18. But they could not find enough rhythm against JRU’s defense. EAC shot just 25 percent from the field and converted only 10 of its 44 two-point attempts. EJ Castillo and MJ Raymundo paced the Generals with nine points each, while captain Wilmar Oftana added eight. EAC’s bench outscored JRU’s reserves, 24-19, but the Generals never found a long enough run to flip the game after halftime.

The title capped a breakthrough run for a JRU side that had already shown its edge before the final.

Earlier in the day, San Beda made sure it also left Rizal Memorial Coliseum with something to show for its campaign.

The Red Lions defeated the UST Growling Tigers, 80-66, in the battle for third place, controlling the game from the opening quarter and never letting UST take the lead. San Beda jumped out to a 20-9 advantage after the first period, stretched the margin to 43-27 by halftime, and held firm even after UST responded with a stronger third quarter.

RC Calimag powered San Beda with one of the best individual performances of the final day. He scored 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including a blistering 7-of-10 from three-point range, and added seven rebounds. His shooting opened the floor for a Red Lions team that finished with 24 assists and only 11 turnovers.

San Beda’s depth was also decisive. The Red Lions got 41 bench points, compared with UST’s 23, and had several contributors around Calimag. Richie Calimag was perfect from the field, scoring eight points on 3-of-3 shooting. Aldous Torculas added eight points and three assists, while Kai Efron, Ian Cuajao, Meynard Songcuya, Lawrence Hawkins, and others helped San Beda sustain its pace.

UST leaned on Kristian Porter, who finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds, and Mur Alao, who added 11 points. Christian Tabet also grabbed 11 rebounds, while Kirk Cañete had eight points and six assists. But the Growling Tigers struggled to score efficiently, shooting 33.9 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from the free throw line.