Late Shot Seals Dramatic NCAA Season 102 Escape
Lawrence Mangubat delivered a decisive late three-pointer as JRU overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat Arellano, 64-62. The Heavy Bombers completed their NCAA Season 102 comeback at the FilOil Centre in San Juan on Tuesday.
Mangubat Delivers Late as JRU Stuns Arellano
Rom Anzures of ABS-CBN News covered Mangubat’s decisive performance during JRU’s dramatic victory over Arellano on Tuesday. The left-handed guard scored 14 points despite struggling throughout the contest against the Chiefs’ aggressive defensive coverage.
Mangubat finished 5-of-23 from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range, reflecting his difficult shooting performance against Arellano. However, he delivered a crucial three-pointer with 19 seconds remaining, cutting the Chiefs’ advantage to 62-61.
Image from: Tiebreaker Times
Guard Responds After Difficult Shooting Night
Mangubat acknowledged Arellano’s tight defensive coverage while explaining how he maintained confidence despite his shooting difficulties throughout the contest. His late three-pointer kept JRU within striking distance before another decisive defensive contribution changed the closing sequence.
“Grabe adjustments ko, kasi sobrang higpit ng depensa sa akin,” said Mangubat. “Pero nag tiwala lang ako.”
JRU Erases Arellano’s 14-Point Advantage
Arellano controlled much of the opening half, establishing a 42-31 halftime advantage after outscoring JRU during the second quarter. The Chiefs eventually extended their lead to 14 points, forcing the Heavy Bombers to recover through improved defensive execution.
JRU limited Arellano to 11 points during the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 53-49 entering the fourth. The Heavy Bombers then surrendered only nine fourth-quarter points, completing a defensive turnaround that made their comeback possible.
Heavy Bombers Hold Chiefs to 20 Second-Half Points
Arellano scored 42 points before halftime but managed only 20 across the final two quarters against JRU’s defense. That 22-point difference between halves allowed the Heavy Bombers to overcome their earlier struggles without requiring exceptional offensive production.
Mangubat Steal Creates JRU’s Winning Opportunity
Arellano appeared positioned to survive the comeback after establishing a 62-58 advantage during the final minute of regulation. Mangubat answered with a three-pointer before stealing the ensuing inbound pass from AG Borromeo to create another opportunity.
The turnover allowed Mangubat to find Sean Salvador, who drew a foul and converted two decisive free throws. Salvador’s successful attempts moved JRU ahead, 63-62, completing the lead change after Mangubat’s late perimeter basket.
Salvador and Hubilla Complete Late Comeback
Salvador finished with six points, including the free throws that gave JRU its decisive advantage during the closing seconds. Chris Hubilla added 14 points and five rebounds before splitting another pair of free throws to establish the final margin.
Arellano Misses Final Chances to Retake Lead
Arellano still had an opportunity to reclaim the advantage after Salvador’s free throws moved JRU ahead during regulation. However, T-Mc Ongotan missed a close-range attempt, allowing the Heavy Bombers to maintain their narrow lead.
Basti Valencia subsequently missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, while Renzo Abiera’s follow-up arrived after regulation expired. The unsuccessful final sequence sealed Arellano’s second consecutive defeat following its four-game winning start to NCAA Season 102.
Ongotan’s 23 Points Cannot Prevent Defeat
Ongotan led all scorers with 23 points and nine rebounds, providing Arellano’s strongest individual performance during the contest. Valencia contributed nine points, but the Chiefs finished with a 4-2 record after surrendering their late advantage.
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JRU Wins Fourth Game Across Last Five
The Heavy Bombers improved to 4-1 in Group A after securing their second consecutive NCAA Season 102 victory. Their latest comeback also followed another narrow result, a 65-64 triumph over Mapúa decided by Sean Salvador’s late basket.
Mangubat and Hubilla each scored 14 points against Arellano, while Salvador supplied another important contribution during regulation. The victory strengthened JRU’s position in Group A as the Heavy Bombers continued their encouraging early-season campaign.
Heavy Bombers Build on Another Tight Finish
JRU’s victories over Mapúa and Arellano featured decisive late contributions from Salvador, establishing consecutive examples of successful closing possessions. Against Arellano, the Heavy Bombers combined improved second-half defense with timely execution to secure their fourth victory.
Analytical Breakdown: Defense Sparked the Comeback
Mangubat’s late confidence proved valuable because he remained willing to attack despite struggling badly with his shooting efficiency. His decisive steal mattered equally, creating another possession when JRU needed opportunities more than another difficult individual attempt. JRU’s second-half defense ultimately enabled the comeback, holding Arellano to 20 points while steadily overcoming its earlier mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the JRU versus Arellano final score?
Jose Rizal University defeated Arellano University, 64-62, in their NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball matchup.
How many points did Lawrence Mangubat score?
Mangubat scored 14 points despite shooting 5-of-23 from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range.
How big was Arellano’s lead against JRU?
Arellano led by as many as 14 points before JRU completed its second-half comeback.
Who led Arellano in scoring?
T-Mc Ongotan led all scorers with 23 points, but the Chiefs suffered their second consecutive NCAA defeat.
How has JRU performed in its recent games?
The Heavy Bombers have won four of their last five games, including two consecutive victories after beating Arellano.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from Rebanse on Facebook.
