Concepcion’s last-half-second buzzer play sends Mapua past previously unbeaten JRU

NCAA Yam Concepcion made the most of just half a second, tipping in a perfect inbound pass off the glass as Mapua secured a dramatic 64-62 upset over the previously undefeated Jose Rizal University on Tuesday in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup in San Juan.

The veteran forward finished the well-executed inbound set, receiving the pass from Cyrus Nitura to complete Mapua’s comeback from a 16-point second-half deficit.

“At least we executed the final play properly. This guy really wanted the ball in that situation,” said coach Chito Victolero, praising Concepcion’s clutch finish. He also posted an all-around line of 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

MC Cuenco topped Mapua with 14 points and three rebounds, while Basti Reyes added eight points and four boards as the Cardinals extended their winning streak to three games and improved to 4-1.

For JRU, Lawrence Mangubat led the way with 20 points, highlighted by 9-of-11 free throws, while Chris Hubilla contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and five steals in his first game against his former school.

Despite the setback, the Heavy Bombers suffered just their first loss in seven outings but remained atop the NCAA Group standings at 6-1.

In other action, University of Santo Tomas secured a quarterfinal berth after surviving Gilas Pilipinas Youth, 99-90.

Collins Akowe anchored UST’s inside game, scoring 18 points, including seven in a dominant 34-point second quarter that helped the Growling Tigers build a 57-42 halftime lead. He also grabbed nine rebounds as UST finished the eliminations at 3-3.

Koji Buenaflor added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Kristian Porter chipped in 12 points and six boards off the bench.

UST once led by 19 points, 61-42, before Gilas Youth rallied to trim the gap to four, 94-90, with just 1:29 left. However, Charles Bucsit—who finished with 11 points—sealed the victory with a clutch corner three-pointer with 1:11 remaining.

Bruce Tubongbanua paced Gilas Youth with 24 points, including three triples, while Joaquin Tovera added a double-double of 21 points, 11 assists, five steals, and two rebounds. Chog Moral contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as the team absorbed its fourth straight defeat.

Emilio Aguinaldo College also stayed hot with a 95-81 win over San Sebastian.

Jacob Shanoda was perfect from the field, going 6-of-6 for 18 points, while Jude Bagay also scored 18 and dished out three assists as they sparked a third-quarter surge that turned a 49-47 halftime deficit into an 82-58 lead.

MJ Raymundo added 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists for EAC, which extended its winning streak to three games and improved to 4-3.

Neil Castor led San Sebastian with 18 points in defeat, as the Golden Stags remained winless at 0-6.

Perpetual also held off a late push from Lyceum of the Philippines University, escaping with a 68-64 win for back-to-back victories.

Allen Maglupay and JM Tulabut each scored 10 points for the Altas, who improved to 3-4.

Renz Villegas led the Pirates with 23 points and five assists, but Lyceum dropped to 2-7 after suffering its second straight loss.