NCAA: Mangubat, JRU take advantage of Arellano’s end-game miscues to steal win

Jose Rizal University’s Lawrence Mangubat against Arellano University in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Lawrence Mangubat brushed off his early shooting woes to play hero as Jose Rizal University crawled back from a 14-point deficit to steal a 64-62 win over Arellano University in NCAA Season 102 on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

The left-handed sniper drained a crucial three-pointer with under 20 seconds left before setting up Sean Salvador’s trip to the foul line off his steal from AG Borromeo as the Chiefs surrendered a 62-58 lead in that span.

“Grabe adjustments ko, kasi sobrang higpit ng depensa sa akin,” said Mangubat, who finished with 14 points but shot just 5-of-23 from the field and 3-of-10 from beyond the arc. “Pero nag tiwala lang ako.”

While Arellano still had chances to preserve the win, T-Mc Ongotan missed at the rim and Basti Valencia saw his three-pointer miss at the buzzer, while Chris Hubilla’s split from the foul line proved enough for JRU to notch its fourth win in five games.

Salvador finished with six points, while Hubilla posted 14 points, five rebounds, a steal, and a block for the Heavy Bombers, who also won their second straight match.

On the other hand, Ongotan finished with 23 points, while Valencia added nine for Arellano, which has now lost two straight after winning its first four matches.

Renzo Abiera also sank his follow-up attempt off Valencia’s miss, but time had already expired.

JRU 64 — Mangubat 14, Hubilla 14, Garcia 7, Eligado 6, Salvador 6, Panapanaan 5, Penaverde 4, Palis 3, Garupil 2, Laurenaria 2, Duque 1, Herrera 0.

Arellano 62 — Ongotan 23, Valencia 9, Vinoya 6, Hernal 6, Flores 6, Borromeo 5, Buenaventura 2, Abiera 2, Langit 2, Geronimo 1, Camay 0, Cabotaje 0.

Quarterscores: 14-18, 31-42, 49-53, 64-62.