NCAA: 2015 Golden State? Mangubat likens JRU’s rise to Curry-led Warriors

MANILA — Jose Rizal University has been as good as advertised so far, and for Heavy Bombers gunner Lawrence Mangubat, their rise bears similarities to the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors more than a decade ago.

“Para siyang 2015 Golden State,” said the 5-foot-11 southpaw sniper, who tallied 20 points and nine rebounds as JRU took down College of Saint Benilde, 73-69, to remain perfect in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball.

The 2014-15 Warriors stormed to a 67-15 record before capturing the NBA title against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, with sharpshooter Curry averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals en route to the MVP award.

Led by Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala, Golden State ushered in a new era of perimeter-oriented basketball with its elite shooting and small-ball approach, ending the franchise’s 40-year championship drought before becoming an NBA dynasty later in the decade.

Mangubat’s comparison, however, is more about how JRU plays as a team than putting himself in the same conversation as Curry.

“Hindi, hindi,” said Mangubat with a smile when asked if he is the Steph of JRU. “Kasi small ball, more on shooters talaga.”

Mangubat added that the Heavy Bombers are still far from reaching championship level, but he knows getting there starts with him.

“Yung pressure nasa akin,” he emphasized. “So sinasabi sakin ng coaches na i-guide ko yung teammates ko. Kailangan sabihan ko sila kung ano yung dapat gawin, na kahit sobrang simple lang na drills, kailangan namin ibigay nang 100%.”

The Cebuano guard also made it clear that he is far from assuming the role Curry has with Golden State, which is why he has been keen on keeping himself as grounded as possible.

“I’m just a student of the game pa rin,” stressed Mangubat, as the Heavy Bombers continue to bear the title-favorite tag following their preseason title run. “Lagi kong nilalagay sa isip ko na ang dami ko pa ring kulang even if may na-accomplish kami.”

And if the Heavy Bombers want to live up to the championship squad Mangubat likened JRU to, he knows it will take even more as they aim to bring the NCAA title back to Shaw Boulevard after 54 years.

“There are a lot of room for improvements pa talaga,” he said. “Ang daming pressure, pero focus lang kami. It’s a long season ahead.”