25-06-2025
Sean Salvador dazzles in debut as JRU completes OT comeback vs. San Beda
Filoil Preseason Cup. June 25, 2025. Sean Salvador (1) of the JRU Heavy Bombers against the San Beda Red Lions. (Photo: Filoil EcoOil Sports/FB)
Sean Salvador sizzled from downtown to power Jose Rizal University to a 75-74 come-from-behind overtime victory over San Beda University in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday.
The young guard made a statement in his tournament debut for the Heavy Bombers, exploding for seven three-pointers en route to 25 points, along with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
With the former Mapua Red Robin catching fire from beyond the arc, JRU rolled to its second straight win, improving to 3-5, while San Beda absorbed its third loss in four games.
The 19-year-old Salvador came to life late in the third quarter, igniting JRU's rally from a 16-point deficit after San Beda big man Bismarck Lina extended the Red Lions to a 56-40 lead.
Salvador sparked the fuse with back-to-back triples while Jay Garupil joined the long-range party with one of his own as the Heavy Bombers trimmed the gap to 56-49 entering the final frame.
Salvador then fired another pair of triple to tie things up at 66-all and drag the Red Lions to overtime.
Jayson Castillo opened the extra period with two free throws before Salvador gave JRU a 71-66 advantage off another basket from beyond the arc.
Two more JRU backcourt weapons in Yuri Duque and Shawn Argente delivered the finishing blow, calmly sinking two free throws each to seal the win despite a last-gasp triple from Yukien Andrada with just 0.2 seconds left.
Garupil, a former Letran Knight, was steady with his 14-point outing while Argente and Duque chipped in 12 and 11 markers each in the wild comeback victory.
Jomel Puno paced San Beda with 23 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal while Andrada flirted with a double-double effort of 10 markers and nine boards.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
