Sean Salvador saves the day as JRU survives Mapúa in NCAA thriller

By: Joaquin Cortez

Despite having former champions Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla in tow, Sean Salvador proved that Jose Rizal University is still his team.

Salvador came through when it mattered most, drilling the go-ahead triple with 2.2 seconds left as the Heavy Bombers escaped the Mapúa University Cardinals, 65-64, to open their NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament campaign on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals took control as Marc Cuenco sank a layup to extend their lead to 59-55.

Hubilla, who battled early foul trouble, had a chance to cut the deficit to two but split his free throws after being fouled by Ivan Lazarte, leaving Mapúa ahead, 59-56, with under five minutes remaining.

Hubilla never found his rhythm and eventually fouled out after committing a blocking foul on Lance Nitura with 2:29 left in the game.

With Mapúa holding a 64-62 lead with 18.7 seconds remaining, Cyrus Nitura had a chance to put the game away but missed both free throws.

The Heavy Bombers made the Cardinals pay on the ensuing possession, as Mangubat found Salvador open in the corner. Salvador calmly knocked down the game-winning three-pointer to give JRU a 65-64 advantage.

Mapúa had one last chance to steal the victory, but Lance Nitura’s potential game-winning shot rattled out as the Bombers escaped with the win.

“Actually “yong [last] play, kay Mangubat talaga ‘yon. Pero ‘yon nga, grabe ‘yong double sa kanya, tatlong tao, apat na tao, kaya good assist din kay Mangubat na pinasa niya sa corner sa akin,” Salvador said. “Nagtiwala lang ako sa sarili ko.

“Breaks of the game rin. Naniwala lang ako kay Lord na ‘yong pasa sa akin ni Mangubat, sabi ko ‘palagi ko ‘to pinapractice sa practice’ … and nadadala naman sa loob ng court,” he added.

Mangubat, who made his Bombers debut alongside Hubilla after serving their one-year residency following their transfer from Mapúa last year, led JRU with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five steals.

Allan Laurenaria added a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Hubilla finished with just five points on 1-of-5 shooting, along with five rebounds in 18 minutes and 30 seconds of action.

JRU also struggled to find its shooting rhythm throughout the game, converting just 19 of 73 attempts from the field for a 26.0 percent clip. The Bombers, however, made 19 of their 26 free-throw attempts for 73.1 percent from the stripe.

Mapúa held a slight edge in field goals, making 22 of 52 attempts, but struggled from the free-throw line, converting just 16 of 38 attempts.

The victory continues what has been a strong run for JRU following a disappointing Season 101 campaign. The Bombers finished last season with a 6-7 record before bowing to top-seeded University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the quarterfinals.

JRU responded with a dominant offseason, sweeping all 10 games to capture the 2026 University Belt Basketball Cup title before adding another championship in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where the Bombers swept defending NCAA champions San Beda University last July.

JRU will look for its second win when it faces San Beda University on Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m., still at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Mapúa, meanwhile, will have a week to regroup before taking on the Lyceum of the Philippines University on Monday, Sept. 21, at 3 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Scores:

Jose Rizal 65 – Mangubat 22, Laurenaria 11, Salvador 9, Palis 5, Eligado 5, Garcia 5, Hubilla 3, Garupil 2, Masiglat 2, Herrera 1, Agmenyi 0, Lozano 0

Mapúa 64 – M. Nitura 17, Cuenco 13, Diaz 9, Concepcion 6, Lazarte 6, L. Nitura 6, Igliane 5, Razon 2, Reyes 0, Ryan III 0, Liwanag 0

Quarterscores: 14-17, 34-32, 49-45, 65-64.

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