The JRU Heavy Bombers pulled off a hard-fought 73–65 victory over the San Beda Red Lions on June 17, 2026, in a tightly contested Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup clash at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The 5:20 PM tip-off saw the Heavy Bombers overcome a slow start to seize control in the second half, handing the storied Red Lions their second loss of the preseason tournament.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the game eager to build momentum ahead of the NCAA Season 102. San Beda, perennially one of the league's heavyweights, aimed to sharpen their rotation and chemistry under the preseason spotlight. JRU, meanwhile, looked to prove they could compete with the top-tier programs. The final score—65–73—reflected a game that was closer than the margin suggests, with the Heavy Bombers displaying grit down the stretch.

Key Moments

• First half seesaw: The Red Lions jumped out to an early lead behind sharp perimeter shooting, but JRU answered with a 10–2 run late in the second quarter to tie the game at 34–34 heading into halftime.
• Third-quarter breakaway: JRU came out of the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, forcing three consecutive San Beda turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. A 12–4 run gave the Heavy Bombers a 46–38 lead, their largest to that point.
• San Beda's late push: With under five minutes to play, the Red Lions cut the deficit to 63–61 after a trio of free throws and a mid-range jumper. However, JRU’s veteran guard John Quimpo answered with a clutch three-pointer and a steal that led to a dunk, pushing the lead back to seven.
• Free-throw sealing: JRU made 8 of 10 free throws in the final two minutes to preserve the win, while San Beda missed three critical attempts from the stripe in the same stretch.

Standout Players

JRU Heavy Bombers: Guard John Quimpo led all scorers with 21 points, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His timely shooting and defensive awareness were decisive. Forward Mark Baclaan contributed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring the interior.

San Beda Red Lions: Rookie guard Jacob Cortez paced the Red Lions with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, but he struggled with ball pressure in the second half. Big man Yukien Andrada posted 10 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out in the final minute.

Tactical Story

San Beda's offense stalled when JRU switched to a 2–3 zone in the third quarter, limiting dribble penetration and forcing the Red Lions into contested jumpers. JRU also controlled the boards on both ends, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points. The Heavy Bombers' bench outscored San Beda's reserves 24–12, providing crucial energy during the decisive stretches.

Season and Preseason Context

For the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, standings are used to seed teams for the knockout phase. With this win, JRU improved to 3–1, solidifying their position near the top of Group B. San Beda fell to 2–2, and while the preseason results do not carry over to the NCAA season, the loss exposed vulnerabilities in their half-court offense and late-game execution. The Heavy Bombers, meanwhile, have shown they can hang with—and beat—traditional powers, sending a warning to the rest of the field.