For the first time in the preseason league’s history, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers are champions of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
This after JRU blasted off against the reigning NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions, 74-67, Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers kept the Red Lions at bay with huge plays down the stretch to complete a two-game sweep in the championship round.
Eventual Finals Most Valuable Player Lawrence Mangubat finished the game with 27 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jahmir Eligado had 10 markers and nine boards in the title-clinching Game 2.
JRU led by 11, 56-45, after a layup by Eligado with 7:36 remaining.
But an 8-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Zedjay Etulle, closed the gap, 53-57, with 5:31 left.
Mangubat, though, hit a trey of his own and followed it up with a baseline jumper to keep their opponents at arm’s length, 62-53.
A pair of free throws by Lawrence Hawkins and a deuce by Sean Torculas off the steal, made it a five-point deficit anew, 57-62.
But both teams traded triples as San Beda kept in step with the Heavy Bombers.
With less than 40 seconds left and with the Red Lions trailing by six, 64-70, after a split from the line by Dom Sarigumba, San Beda forced a steal.
Dan Marcelo, however, was blocked by Chris Hubilla, and the rock hit Marcelo on the way out.
And while San Beda continued to pound on the door, clutch free throws by Mangubat down the stretch, as well as a clutch rebound by Ivan Panapanaan that led to the dagger freebies by Mangubat, iced the game.
The game was tight through the half, with JRU leading by just one, 29-28, after the first 20 minutes of play.
But the Heavy Bombers dropped a 23-12 third quarter to break the game wide open, 52-40, heading to the fourth.
Allan Laurenaria and Jay Garupil finished with nine points each, while Chris Hubilla had eight points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block.
Zedjay Etulle had 14 points and four rebounds for San Beda, while Torculas had 13 markers, seven boards and three dimes.
This is the first title of JRU in the tournament.
The Heavy Bombers last made the finals back in the first season of the competition, finishing as the runners-up to the La Salle Green Archers.