By: Joaquin Vortez
For Lawrence Mangubat, there was no sweeter way to begin a new chapter than by breaking the hearts of his former team.
With Jose Rizal University staring at a two-point deficit in the final seconds against Mapúa University, Mangubat drew the Cardinals’ defense toward him before calmly finding Sean Salvador wide open in the corner.
Salvador buried the game-winning triple with 2.2 seconds left, lifting the Heavy Bombers to a thrilling 65-64 victory in their NCAA Season 102 opener at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
It was a storybook return for Mangubat, who faced the school where he once helped deliver a championship.
Mangubat and fellow former Cardinal Chris Hubilla made their JRU debuts against their old team on Monday after transferring to the Heavy Bombers last year and serving their one-year residency.
The two were members of Mapúa’s Season 100 championship squad in 2024 under coach Randy Alcantara. Salvador, meanwhile, also came through the Mapúa system as a Red Robin before enrolling at JRU last year.
Facing their former team naturally brought an added edge to the game, but Mangubat and Salvador made sure their emotions did not get in the way of executing the Heavy Bombers’ game plan.
“Actually, nakakagigil din minsan kasi galing kami ni Sean sa Mapúa, so may halong gigil ’yung laro namin ngayon. Nag-stick lang kami sa pinapagawa ng coaches,” Mangubat said.
That intensity was evident from the opening tip as JRU fell behind 17-14 after the first quarter. Hubilla also found himself in early foul trouble, picking up three quick fouls in the opening minutes.
But instead of unraveling, the Heavy Bombers settled down, made the necessary adjustments, and found a way to mount a late comeback against the defending champions.
“No’ng start pa lang ng game, may gigil na kaming lahat, sobrang may pressure. Nag-usap-usap lang kami at kailangan naming mag-adjust at paano kami kumalma,” he said.
For Mangubat and Hubilla, however, their return to the NCAA is about more than facing their former school. It is also about taking on bigger leadership roles and using the experience they gained from winning a championship to help JRU’s younger players.
“Para sa amin ni Chris, gusto lang namin maging leader sa team at madala ’yung championship experience namin sa JRU, especially sa mga rookies,” Mangubat said.
Mangubat showed exactly why JRU entrusted him with that responsibility, leading all scorers with 22 points while also dishing out seven assists.
Hubilla had a tougher outing, finishing with five points on 1-of-5 shooting in 18 minutes before fouling out in the final frame.
The transition to their new roles, Mangubat said, has been made easier by the trust between the former champions and their new teammates.
“Trabaho lang kami. Naniniwala naman sila sa amin kung paano kami mag-lead at naniniwala naman din kami sa kanila,” Mangubat said.
That trust has already produced impressive results.
JRU swept all 10 of its games in the offseason to capture the 2026 University Belt Basketball Cup before adding another title in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where the Heavy Bombers swept defending NCAA champions San Beda last July.
Still, Mangubat knows the real test begins now.
Despite their dominant offseason and dramatic opening-day victory, the Heavy Bombers are embracing an underdog mentality as they begin their Season 102 campaign.
“Lagi pinapaalala ni [Coach Nani Epondulan] na hindi kami malakas na team, maliit kami, small ball. Nilalagay namin sa utak namin na underdog kami,” he said.
