NCAA: JRU clinches twice-to-beat advantage on Mangubat career-high, spoils Liwag return for Benilde - GMA Network

Jose Rizal University clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after defeating De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 85-79, in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The victory also spoiled the return of back-to-back MVP Allen Liwag, who missed 11 games due to a foot injury, while Lawrence Mangubat delivered a career-high 27 points for the Heavy Bombers.

With the win, JRU finished the group stage with a 10-3 record, while Benilde dropped to 8-4.

The Blazers held a 23-20 lead at the end of the first quarter before the Heavy Bombers took control, establishing a 45-39 advantage at halftime.

JRU continued to pull away in the second half, building a 65-52 lead at the 2:28 mark of the third quarter. Benilde responded with a 5-0 run to trim the deficit, but Jhillian Palis halted the rally before Mo Morales answered with a layup. Mangubat then added a late basket to restore the Heavy Bombers' double-digit cushion.

JRU maintained a 79-70 lead with less than three minutes remaining before Morales scored and Ian Torres knocked down a triple to bring Benilde within four.

Mangubat answered with a basket with 23 seconds left, but Torres drilled another triple to cut the deficit to three.

Mangubat then sank two free throws after drawing a foul from Arle Podador to put JRU ahead, 83-78. Justine Sanchez split his free throws after being fouled by Allen Laurenaria, but Mangubat sealed the victory with another pair of free throws after drawing a foul from Irele Galas.

“Coming into the game today, we knew that this game would be important,” said Heavy Bombers head coach Nani Epondulan in Filipino.

“I told them that we are writing history, so as long as our fate lies in our hands, then we should work on it.”

Mangubat's career-high 27 points included three triples, alongside two assists and a rebound. Sean Salvador and Jamhir Eligado chipped in 16 points apiece for JRU.

Morales led Benilde with 16 points, while Sanchez added 13.

JRU now awaits its quarterfinal opponent from Group B, while Benilde will close out its group-stage campaign against San Beda University on Tuesday.

JRU 85 - Mangubat 27, Salvador 16, Eligado 16, Laurenaria 9, Palis 6, Masiglat 5, Penaverde 4, Garupil 2, Agemenyi 0, Panapanaan 0.

Benilde 79 - Morales 16, Sanchez 13, Moore 9, Torres 8, Cajucom 7, Ancheta 6, Liwag 6, Celis 6, Lorenzo 3, Podador 3, Galas 2, Jucom 0.

Quarters: 20-23, 45-39, 69-59, 85-79.