How Did Lawrence Mangubat’s Weight Loss Journey Help Reinforce His Game?

When it comes to Cebu, the province is known for producing prominent basketball standouts, whether in the professional or collegiate ranks through the years, highlighted by well-known names including June Mar Fajardo, Carl Tamayo, and Calvin Oftana. 

Nowadays, the Cebuano heritage continues to take over the collegiate basketball scene, most notably, in JRU’s Lawrence Mangubat.

From Cebu to an NCAA Title as a Rookie 

The southpaw scoring guard from Liloan has now established his reputation as one of the premier collegiate guards in NCAA Season 102. He is currently stuffing the stat sheet, averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per contest as of October 27, 2026.

Before gaining his well-deserved recognition, Mangubat kicked off his collegiate career as one of the vital contributors in ending Mapua’s 33-year championship drought back in NCAA’s centennial tournament. 

The 5-foot-11 guard subsequently took his talents to the Jose Rizal University joining alongside fellow Mapua champion Chris Hubilla, adding more firepower in the rebuilding squad. 

After winning a championship, many events occur, including celebrations, gatherings, and especially a long vacation spent with families in their respective hometowns. 

This can result in players getting out of shape and having to start back from zero.

The Weight He Carried Back to Manila

The 22-year-old started gaining weight during his ongoing rookie year, due to lack of discipline and dealing with excitement or anxiety that would cause him to have sleepless nights during game days, or encourage stress eating. 

“During season kasi, wala kasi akong disiplina dati sa Mapua. May problem din kasi ako dati, lalo na noong rookie season ko, di ako makatulog if may game dahil siguro sa excitement or anxiety. So ginagawa ko, nag stress eating lang ako.”

The then sophomore guard carried 87 kilograms back to Manila, which made him overweight for his build, and at risk of injury. 

“Siguro, after nang vacation namin noong 2025, pagbalik ko ka agad galing Cebu, sinimulan ko na agad yung weight loss journey ko.” 

Mangubat channeled a headstrong mentality and stayed determined in everything on and off the court from putting in extra work, prioritizing his health, maintaining proper nutrition, and getting enough sleep.  

“Pagbalik namin noong January, nag lock-in talaga ako at iniisip ko talaga na kung hindi ako pumayat, wala talaga ako.”

“So, yun nga, sobrang disiplinado ako and grabe yung ginawa kong disiplina para sa katawan ko. Sa food, nutrition, at syempre sa sleep, lahat-lahat, disiplinado ako sa sarili ko.”

“Noong residency year ko, sobrang grabe ko magtrabaho, like, mas grabe pa akong mag-extra kaysa sa mga current players noon, kasi goal ko talaga is ma-kondisyon talaga.”

Cutting Sugar, Counting Calories 

Mangubat strictly tracked his calories and tried fasting. He would cut food high in carbohydrates, fat, and sugar and replace them with sweet potato and protein-based foods & supplements. 

“Number one iniwasan ko talaga is yung sugar eh, any kinds of sugar, like, mga junk foods, mga matatamis tulad ng cake and especially yung mga bread. Cinut ko talaga lahat ng sugar noong time na nagpapababa talaga ako ng timbang and yun thankful din ako na, kinaya ko naman, kahit mahirap din sa una, nahihilo-hilo din ako.”

Mangubat also received tips and advice from former Suwon KT Sonicboom wing and reigning MPBL Season Most Valuable Player, Dave Ildefonso, and former Abra Weaver veteran forward, Mark Yee, in nurturing his physique. 

“Yung ginawa ko kasi noon eh, parang nag-calorie deficit and naka-fasting ako, so, yung mga kinakain ko lang ay kamote. Yung nakikita sa mga video ko kasi nga maganda siya dahil low carb lang and wala siyang fat, so, need talaga siya, tapos, nag-focus din ako sa more on protein, sa mga whey protein, tsaka, yun nga, thankful din ako sa mga tumutulong sa akin, especially si Kuya Mark Yee, yun yung nag-advise sa akin sa mga pagkain, yung mga kamote-kamote niya, and si Dave Ildefonso.

“Sa kanila ko natutunan kung paano talaga mag-alaga sa katawan, si Dave (Ildefonso) kasi, grabe yung disiplina, nakikita ko eh, tinitimbang  niya yung mga pagkain niya, yun din yung ginawa ko so yun nga naging effective naman sa akin.”

Furthermore, playing computer games like DOTA 2 and Crossfire and staying productive every single day were also his solutions to move away from temptations. 

“Ginagawa ko lang dati, naglalaro lang ako ng mga computer games eh, tulad ng Dota 2, at Crossfire, kaya, yun, parang minsan sobrang saya ko habang naglalaro to the point na nakalimutan ko na kumain, so, yun yan, sakto din na naglalaro ako, para makalimutan ko rin yung mga temptations sa mga pagkain.”

Quicker, Stronger, and Chasing History 

Mangubat’s hard work effectively paid off, trimming down his weight into 74 kilograms by November 2025. He lost 13 kilograms in a span of 10 months while maintaining the strength he needs to play a physical brand of basketball. 

His transformation has allowed for quicker movements, at times the ability to score at will, heavy minutes when needed, and staying composed during crucial situations. 

“Malaking tulong talaga nung pagbaba ng timbang ko, tsaka yung pagcondition ko sa katawan ko eh, kasi nakakatulong siya, like, nagagawa ko yung mga gusto ko, nakakalaro ako ng 40 minutes, kung gustuhin ko, at nagagawa ko yung mga galaw ko dahil condition ako eh, so, makukuha ko talaga yung gusto kong gawin sa galaw.” 

These improvements allowed him to manage heavier responsibilities and capture accolades including championships in the Junior MPBL D-League 21U with the Batang Abra Weavers and the historic FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup with the JRU Heavy Bombers, where he was also named MVP. 

Now in the best shape of his life, Mangubat aims to secure another NCAA title with the JRU Heavy Bombers to expand his growing resume. 

Standing at 8-3 before their matchup against his former team Mapua on November 3, their squad is already dubbed a championship contender for the NCAA Season 102. 

Will Lawrence Mangubat now help the Heavy Bombers end a long and painful 54-year title drought in the grand old league?

We’ll find out.