NCAA: Mangubat fires career-best 27 en route to Player of the Week nod

Jose Rizal University gunner Lawrence Mangubat against Mapua University in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Jose Rizal University has zoomed to the top seed in Group A of NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball, with Lawrence Mangubat spearheading the Heavy Bombers’ charge for a twice-to-beat edge heading into the quarterfinals.

Still without Chris Hubilla due to a partial MCL tear in his left knee, Mangubat powered JRU to its third consecutive victory, delivering back-to-back impressive performances against Mapua University and College of Saint Benilde to earn Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Player of the Week honors for November 3 to 6.

Battling through a shoulder injury, the 5-foot-11 guard led JRU’s charge against the feisty Cardinals with 19 points, six rebounds, and two steals as the Heavy Bombers pulled away for a 71-58 victory behind a crucial fourth-quarter defensive stand.

Entering Friday’s matchup tied with San Beda University at the top of the Group A standings with identical 9-3 records, Mangubat once again came through when it mattered most, pouring in a career-best 27 points and dishing out two assists to spoil the return of back-to-back MVP Allen Liwag in an 85-79 triumph over the Blazers.

Despite his timely offensive outburst, Mangubat was quick to deflect the credit to the rest of the Heavy Bombers.

“It’s a blessing na magkaroon ng ganoon na tiwala sa mga coaches at teammates ko,” Mangubat said. “Ginawa ko lang ‘yung anong maitutulong ko sa team.”

JRU head coach Nani Epondulan, meanwhile, hailed Mangubat’s leadership as the Heavy Bombers brace for tougher challenges in the playoffs.

“Having that type of player na hindi talaga magpapabata is a big moral boost, especially sa mga teammates na naglo-look up sa kanya,” he said of Mangubat, who edged out San Beda’s Dan Marcelo, Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Jacob Shanoda, University of Perpetual Help’s Mark Gojo Cruz, and Arellano University’s T-Mac Ongotan for the weekly citation.

“Hindi lahat ng players may ganung klaseng attitude, may ganung klase ng puso,” added Epondulan.