The JRU Heavy Bombers opened their Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup campaign with a gritty 78–69 victory over the San Sebastian Stags on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. The Heavy Bombers used a balanced scoring attack and a decisive third-quarter surge to gain the upper hand in what turned out to be a physical, up-tempo contest.

Match Overview

JRU controlled the game for most of the evening, though San Sebastian refused to go quietly. The Stags hung around through the first half, trailing only 38–35 at the break, but the Heavy Bombers tightened their defense after halftime and stretched the lead to double digits. A late rally by the Stags cut the deficit to six points with under two minutes left, but JRU converted crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Key Moments

• First quarter: JRU jumped out to an early 12–4 run, sparked by quick transition buckets. San Sebastian responded with a 7–0 spurt to close the period, tying the game at 18.
• Second quarter: The Stags took their first lead (32–30) on a three-pointer from guard John Bryan Santos. JRU answered with a 10–3 run, ending with a buzzer-beating layup to go up by three at halftime.
• Third quarter: JRU opened on a 14–2 blitz, forcing San Sebastian into three turnovers and holding the Stags without a field goal for nearly five minutes. By the end of the period, the score read 62–51.
• Fourth quarter: San Sebastian cut the lead to 72–66 with 1:45 remaining, but JRU’s Jonathan Salazar converted a three-point play and later hit two free throws to ice the game.

Standout Players

JRU Heavy Bombers: Forward Jonathan Salazar led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Guard Mark Bautista chipped in 14 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals, while center Renz Carlos contributed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

San Sebastian Stags: John Bryan Santos was the top performer for the Stags, finishing with 18 points and 6 assists. Forward Luis Miguel de Leon added 15 points and 8 rebounds, but the rest of the team combined for only 36 points on 31% shooting.

Season & Tournament Context

The Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup serves as a vital tune-up for college basketball teams across the Philippines, particularly for the NCAA and UAAP squads. For JRU, this opening win offers momentum as they integrate several new faces into their rotation. San Sebastian, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they face Arellano next week. The Heavy Bombers will aim to build on their defensive intensity in a crowded field of contenders.