JRU’s Mapúa connection fuels comeback win over Cardinals

With several JRU players coming from Mapúa, the Heavy Bombers entered their Season 102 opener with added motivation against the Cardinals.

That motivation showed in a thrilling 65-64 comeback win, as JRU erased a five-point deficit in the final 1:15 before Mapúa Red Robin Sean Salvador knocked down the game-winning three-pointer with 2.2 seconds remaining.

“Breaks of the game na lang rin. Naniwala lang ako kay Lord,” said Salvador.

Lawrence Mangubat, who helped Mapúa win the NCAA Season 100 championship before transferring to JRU, admitted there was extra intensity heading into the matchup.

“Galing kaming Mapúa, siguro halos half of the team, so may halong gigil yung laro namin ngayon… Nag-stick lang kami sa pinapagawa ng mga coaches,” said Mangubat.

The matchup was already expected to be an intense one, with JRU entering Season 102 as one of the favorites after winning the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

The Heavy Bombers lost just two games throughout their FilOil campaign, with Mapúa handing them one of those defeats.

Mangubat delivered for JRU with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five steals, while Hubilla, another former Mapúa champion, struggled against his former team.

Mapúa appeared poised to pull off the win after building a 64-59 lead late in the game, but JRU refused to back down.

Stephen Garupil’s and-one helped spark JRU’s late rally before Mangubat set up Salvador for the game-winning three-pointer.

“‘Yong pasa sa’kin ni [Lawrence] Mangubat, alam ko na, e. Pinapractice ko ‘yon. ‘Di kami bumitaw sa sistema ng coaches hanggang dulo.” said Salvador.

Mapúa had one last chance, but Cyrus Nitura’s jumper missed as JRU completed the comeback and opened its Season 102 campaign with a dramatic win.