Bombers go for FilOil finals series clincher vs Lions

Game Thursday

(Game 2 of Best-of-3 Finals)

5 p.m. – San Beda vs. JRU

MANILA, Philippines — A fitting ending to a magical Cinderella run is up for Jose Rizal University’s taking.

Underdog and all, the Heavy Bombers shoot for the kill against reigning NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions to snap a long title drought in Game 2 of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

JRU last won an NCAA title in 1972 and a Fr. Martin’s Cup preseason crown in 2015, making it a perfect stage to finally hoist a trophy that should serve handy in their build-up for the NCAA 102nd season in September.

“Alam naman natin kung gaano na katagal pero binubuhay namin ulit ‘yung winning culture ng school,” said mentor Nani Epondulan as JRU looks for a rare sweep against San Beda at 5 p.m. after knocking out Letran in the semis.

Epondulan was the NCAA MVP for JRU in 2001, following the steps of his father Estelito (1990), as two of the only six JRU players to win NCAA MVP in history before embarking on a homecoming as head coach last year.

He’s out to get the job done after a 70-59 win over San Beda, which has been on roll of its own after eliminating UAAP powerhouse squads La Salle and UP in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

“Mahirap, pero pag nagawa naman namin at tinrabaho namin, hindi sila makakalimutan ng tao," added Epondulan, banking on blue-chip recruits Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla from Mapua, who combined for 41 points and 18 rebounds in Game 1.

“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, paghirapan na natin ngayon and then saka na tayo mag-happy-happy kapag nakuha na natin. Di pa naman tapos yung trabaho.”

It’s the first all-NCAA showdown for the Filoil title since the inauguration of the country’s premier preseason tourney in 2006 when JRU finished runner-up to La Salle.

San Beda, for its part, last won in 2019 after three straight finals appearance, making it a hungry squad as well to force a decider especially in honor of fallen Red Lion JV Gallego, who passed away due to a car accident last week.

Gallego, an NCAA champion with the Red Lions in 2023, was 28.

To do it, coach Yuri Escueta will need a teamwork from Zed Etulle, RC Calimag, Aldous Torculas, Jommel Puno and Penny Estacio in a rebuilding stage after the graduation of their championship core led by Finals MVP Bryan Sajonia and captain Yukien Andrada.

Ace gunner Janti Miller left for La Salle, while playmaker Nygel Gonzales went down with an ACL injury in the offseason.

Still, there’s no retreat and surrender for the Red Lions with an unmatched championship caliber and winning culture to prove against the emerging force in the Heavy Bombers.

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