22/08/2026
Jalen Brunson ng Pinas - Lawrence Mangubat
From being a key piece of Mapúa’s championship squad to becoming one of the biggest names in JRU’s preseason run, Lawrence Mangubat is entering NCAA Season 102 with confidence, experience, and something to prove.
The Cebuano guard has been one of the main catalysts behind the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers’ remarkable preseason campaign. After transferring from Mapúa, where he was part of the Cardinals’ NCAA Season 100 championship team, Mangubat immediately showed that he can thrive when the spotlight gets brighter.
FILOIL FINALS MVP
Mangubat’s biggest statement came in the 2026 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where JRU captured its first-ever FilOil championship.
He was spectacular when it mattered most.
In Game 1 of the finals against defending NCAA champions San Beda, Mangubat exploded for 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, helping JRU take a 1-0 lead.
Then, with the championship on the line, he delivered an even bigger performance.
Mangubat dropped 27 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in Game 2, including crucial baskets and free throws down the stretch, as JRU completed the sweep and captured the title. His performance earned him FilOil Finals MVP honors.
HOMECOMING IN CEBU
The momentum continued when JRU traveled to Cebu for the Cebu City Collegiate Invitational.
Playing in front of his home crowd, the Cebuano guard showed once again why he is one of the Bombers’ most dependable offensive weapons. Mangubat opened the tournament with a game-high 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal against Benedicto College.
JRU eventually completed a perfect 5-0 run to capture the Cebu championship. In the title game against the University of Cebu, Mangubat added 14 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal, helping the Heavy Bombers secure their second straight preseason championship.
NSAC WORLD INVITATIONAL
Mangubat proved that his game could translate against international competition as well.
In JRU’s opening game of the NSAC World Invitational, he led the Heavy Bombers with 22 points, helping them defeat Australia’s Elite Stacks, 71-66. He also played a major role in JRU’s game-ending 11-0 run.
He followed that with another explosive performance in the semifinal against UST, pouring in 26 points in a double-overtime thriller. Although JRU fell short, Mangubat’s performance earned him recognition as one of the tournament’s standout players. He was eventually selected to the NSAC World Invitational Mythical Five.
WHY “JALEN BRUNSON NG PINAS”?
The nickname “Jalen Brunson ng Pinas” fits Mangubat because of the way he plays—not because he is simply a prolific scorer.
Like Brunson, Mangubat is a crafty guard who thrives on pace, footwork, change of direction and shot creation. He is comfortable operating in the pick-and-roll, creating separation in the mid-range, attacking mismatches and making the right play when defenses collapse.
More importantly, he has shown the ability to take over when the game is on the line.
His FilOil Finals performance is the clearest example. With San Beda making its final push, Mangubat calmly answered with a three-pointer, a baseline jumper and clutch free throws to help seal the championship.
That combination of confidence, patience, toughness and shot-making is what makes the Brunson comparison so fitting.
NOW, IT'S NCAA TIME
After winning the FilOil championship, dominating Cebu, making noise against international competition and earning Mythical Five honors at the NSAC World Invitational, Mangubat enters NCAA Season 102 with expectations higher than ever.
JRU is no longer simply a dark horse.
They are coming into the season as a legitimate contender, and at the center of that championship push is their crafty Cebuano guard.
Asiabasket bombers
