Mangubat’s late threes help JRU beat Arellano 64-62
The Heavy Bombers recovered from a 14-point deficit to improve to 4-1 in Group A of NCAA Season 102.
Jose Rizal University defeated Arellano 64-62 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on October 6, 2026, with Lawrence Mangubat hitting two late three-pointers and Sean Salvador making the decisive free throws in their NCAA Season 102 meeting.
Mangubat contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists despite struggling with his shooting for much of the game. Chris Hubilla also scored 14 points as the Heavy Bombers moved to 4-1 in Group A. Arellano suffered a second consecutive defeat.
JRU trailed by as many as 14 points. A third-quarter three-pointer from T-Mc Ongotan put Arellano ahead 51-40 before Hubilla led a 9-2 response, leaving the Heavy Bombers behind 53-49 at the end of the period.
Mangubat later brought JRU level at 57-57 with a three-pointer. Arellano answered with a 5-0 burst sparked by Ongotan’s floater hook and held a 62-58 advantage. Mangubat then connected from the corner after receiving Jhillian Palis’s inbound pass, before Salvador converted both free throws to secure the victory.
JRU head coach Nani Epondulan said he had challenged his players at half-time to show their character by recovering against an Arellano side that had controlled the game.
