Sean Salvador heroics lift JRU past Mapua in cardiac finish

Sean Salvador showed up when Jose Rizal University needed a hero, draining the game-winning triple to escape Mapua University, 65-64, in the NCAA Season 102 on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

The sophomore guard knocked down the corner triple off a pass from Lawrence Mangubat in the final 2.2 seconds of the game.

The Cardinals had the chance to turn things around again but Lance Nitura’s final jumper went in and out as the Heavy Bombers stunned the Cardinals and live up early to their preseason billings as a title favorite.

Mangubat was as good as advertised on both ends after tallying 22 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and one assist while Allan Laurenaria and Salvador finished with 11 and nine markers each.

Laurenaria also stepped up after Chris Hubilla fouled out in the fourth, grabbing 12 rebounds and one steal, as the Heavy Bombers went 1-0 in Group A. The Cardinals, meanwhile, dropped to 0-1 in head coach Chito Victolero’s NCAA return after 14 years.

“Of course, it’s also the breaks of the game. I just believe in the Lord and that the pass by Mangubat to me would lead to a shot that I’ve been practicing,” Salvador said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“I also want to thank Coach Yong and Coach Nani because we just stayed true to their system. We know Mapua, that’s where we came from and we knew that it wouldn’t be easy.”

JRU had to dig deep amid a Mapua storm.

Mapua leaned on rookie Jamal Diaz in that fourth-quarter storm as the former UE Junior Warriors guard completed a three-point play and sank a huge three-pointer that sent the Cardinals to a 64-59 lead with 1:15 left.

But the Heavy Bombers refused to mark their season opener with a loss with Stephen Garupil knocking down an and-one basket and Mangubat splitting his free throws to trim the deficit to two, 64-62.

JRU then took advantage of two missed charities from Cyrus Nitura with Mangubat issuing the pass that set the stage for the game-winning three-pointer from Salvador.

—JMB, GMA News