THE Jose Rizal University-San Beda duel was supposed to be one of the early measuring sticks in NCAA Season 102, but heavy rains forced the game to be stopped midway through the first quarter last Friday.
The Heavy Bombers were ahead 9-3 at the time, with Lawrence Mangubat accounting for six of those, before the unplayable court cut short what was shaping up to be an early battle between two title contenders.
READ Splash Bombers: Lawrence Mangubat sees 2015 Warriors in JRU
Resurgent JRU and the defending champion Red Lions get another chance to settle the score on Saturday in the rescheduled heavyweight bout, with both teams now having a better feel for what to expect.
Mangubat, in particular, knows he will likely see more attention after his quick start in the aborted matchup.
“Expect na namin ‘yung intensity, lalo na’t ‘yun nga, [San] Beda, defending champion,” he said.
“Expect namin ‘yung sobrang higpit na depensa, especially sa'kin, kasi yung last game namin, ako ‘yung parang nagiging key dito sa team namin.”
Rather than force the issue, Mangubat said he will have to take a closer look at San Beda’s defensive lines and respond accordingly.
“Kung ano ‘yung ibabato sa'kin na depensa, kailangan ko lang mag-adjust and mag-react agad,” he said.
Too close for comfort
The Heavy Bombers have already been through that kind of pressure early on, surviving Mapua by one point then Benilde by four - and those gave them valuable experience in handling tight games down the stretch.
“Sobrang importante, lalo na sa mga rookies namin na ma-experience nila ‘yung mga ganun na sitwasyon like sobrang dikit, isa na lang, down the stretch,” Mangubat said.
At the same time, the point guard said he himself is preparing for those situations, particularly with the responsibility that comes with being the blue-and-gold's top gun.
“Sa part ko naman, nire-ready ko naman sarili ko sa mga ganung sitwasyon and lagi kong ine-extra ‘yun,” he said.
Against the defending champions, that preparation could be put to an even bigger test.
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