JRU carries championship momentum from Cebu to NSAC World Invitational semis

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers is showing that its championship momentum has not halted since they dominated in their Cebu stint last week.

Just days after claiming its second straight championship in the Cebu City Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament, the Heavy Bombers continued their impressive preseason run by advancing to the semifinals of the inaugural NSAC World Invitational at the PhilSports Arena.

JRU secured its semifinal berth by holding off Australia’s Elite Stacks, 71-66, setting up a showdown with University of Santo Tomas on Saturday.

The Heavy Bombers entered the NSAC World Invitational with considerable momentum after also winning the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. Their latest victory in the international field gives JRU another chance to test itself against one of the country’s established collegiate programs.

They will face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers which earned its semifinals ticket by beating Tenri University of Japan, 88-65. The matchup now pits two Philippine teams that have been collecting preseason championships against each other, with JRU arriving in Pasig after another successful campaign in Cebu.

Depth, consistency

For the Heavy Bombers, the quick turnaround from their Cebu championship to the NSAC World Invitational has provided another test of their depth and consistency. JRU has carried its winning form into a tournament featuring collegiate teams from the Philippines and abroad, including Japan’s Fighting Eagles Nagoya and Australia’s Elite Stacks.

On the other side of the bracket, San Beda University advanced after beating Taiwan’s National Formosa University, 78-65. The Red Lions will face Fighting Eagles Nagoya, the tournament’s lone professional team, after the Japanese B.League club defeated Far Eastern University, 97-87, in its opening game.

The winners of JRU-UST and San Beda-Nagoya will advance in the championship on August 16, Sunday.

JRU will heavily rely on the reigning FilOil EcoOil Pre-Season “Most Valuable Player” Lawrence Mangubat along with forward Chris Hubilla who bagged the MVP plum in the Cebu City invitational tilt, along with Sean Salvador, Allan Laurenaria, and Stephen Garupil with Nani Epondulan calling shots at the sideline as the head coach.

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