Mangubat Sees Shades of 2015 Warriors in JRU
Lawrence Mangubat believes JRU’s small-ball approach and abundance of shooters remind him of Golden State’s 2015 championship team.
“Idedescribe ko lang yung JRU ngayon… parang siyang Golden State, 2015. Golden State kasi, small ball and shooters talaga,” Mangubat said.
But the 2015 Warriors represent more than just a style of play.
That was the year Golden State won its first NBA championship in 40 years, beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals. It also marked the beginning of a championship run that would see the Warriors win four titles in eight seasons.
Mangubat hopes JRU can build something of its own this season.
Lawrence Mangubat Wants to End JRU’s Title Drought
The Heavy Bombers have not won an NCAA championship since 1972, and Mangubat wants to help end that drought.
For Mangubat, the priority is clear: help JRU win a championship.
“[Championship] talaga number one goal ko. Bonus na yung mga individual awards. Yung goal ko talaga sa JRU, gusto ko lang sila bigyan ng championship,” he said.
The Heavy Bombers have already shown they can compete for one.
JRU Carries Preseason Success Into NCAA Season 102
JRU won the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup during the offseason, beating defending NCAA champion San Beda in both games of the Finals.
More importantly, the Heavy Bombers have carried that momentum into the regular season.
JRU opened Season 102 with a 65-64 comeback win over Mapúa, erasing a five-point deficit in the final 1:15 before Sean Salvador hit the game-winning three with 2.2 seconds left.
They followed it up with another close win against CSB, 73-69. Mangubat hit a crucial three-pointer with 1:08 remaining to help JRU pull away late.
Through JRU’s first two games, Mangubat is averaging 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 2.5 steals per game.
Now sitting at 2-0, JRU has another test waiting.
Defending Champion San Beda Awaits JRU
The Heavy Bombers face San Beda on September 26 — the same team they beat in the preseason Finals and the defending NCAA champion.
For now, Mangubat sees the similarities in the way JRU plays. The bigger question is whether the Heavy Bombers can turn that style into the kind of championship success the 2015 Warriors had.
The Heavy Bombers have started the season with two close wins.
Now comes their next test — the defending champions.
