The Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers tamed the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 78-66, for their second straight victory in the Cebu City Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament 2026 on Friday night, August 7, at the Cebu City Sports Institute Gym in Barangay Sawang Calero.
Christopher Hubilla chaked up 17 points with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block while Sean Salvador and Jamhir Eligado tallied 21 points in between them as the Heavy Bombers took the solo leadership with a clean 2-0 slate.
After the close battle in the first two quarters, the Heavy Bombers exploded in the second half. They closed the third period with a 60-47 lead, which peaked at 25 points, 74-49, in the closing seconds of the match.
Lanze Graham Sabroso was the lone double-digit scorer with 13 points for the Red Warriors, who suffered their second loss.
On the other hand, the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) four-peat champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers escaped the Benedicto College Cheetahs with a 79-77 win.
The Lancers led by 17 points, 49-32, at halftime but the gritty Cheetahs battled back to force a 77-77 deadlock..
It was then that Ivan Clark Alsola wore the hero’s cape, making a crucial jumper in the final 50 seconds that became UV’s saving grace.
AJ Sacayan paced the Lancers with 16 points, five rebounds and one assist while Raul Gentallan and Paul John Bautista tallied 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
Den Ric Orgong delivered an impressive 26-point performance laced with two rebounds, three steals and two blocks but to no avail as the Cheetahs fell to 0-2.