Jose Rizal University completed a sweep of San Beda with a 74-67 victory in Game 2 on Thursday to capture the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup title at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Lawrence Mangubat scored 27 points, adding three rebounds and three assists, including the clinching free throws with 10.5 seconds left, as the Heavy Bombers secured their first Filoil preseason championship.
‘I didn’t want to lose,’ said Mangubat, who was named tournament MVP, in Filipino.
Chris Hubilla anchored JRU’s defense with eight points, eight rebounds and five assists, highlighted by a block on Daniel Marcelo in the final minute that helped seal the victory.
Stephen Garupil added nine points, including two fourth-quarter 3-pointers, while Jahmir Eligado finished with 10 points and nine rebounds after drawing the start. Allan Laurenaria contributed nine points, four rebounds and two steals.
‘From the start, this is what we’ve been working on-to keep them ready, mentally,’ coach Nani Epondulan said.
Mangubat and Hubilla were named to the Mythical Team along with San Beda’s Aldous Torculas, Letran’s Titing Manalili and University of the Philippines’ Veejay Pre.
JRU, which won Game 1 70-59, finished the preseason tournament with just one loss and defeated San Beda in all three of their meetings.
The title was the Heavy Bombers’ first in the tournament after finishing runner-up in its inaugural edition in 2006.
Zed Etulle led the Red Lions with 14 points and four rebounds, while Torculas was held to 13 points on 3-of-11 shooting.