NCAA champion Chris Hubilla transfers to 5th school after JRU move

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Chris Hubilla, the Rookie of the Year who won an NCAA men’s basketball crown with Mapua, surprisingly transfers to the cellar-dwelling JRU

MANILA, Philippines – Chris Hubilla is on the move once more. 

After playing a key role in the Mapua Cardinals’ NCAA Season 100 conquest, Chris Hubilla will join former coach Nani Epondulan in the JRU Heavy Bombers — his fifth transfer in his varsity journey. 

The transfer meant that Hubilla would be in his fifth committed school after starting with San Beda-Rizal in high school, before going to the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP, and the Letran Knights in the NCAA. 

“Salamat sa Mapúa sa one year, always grateful and thankful,” the 22-year-old Hubilla wrote on social media on Wednesday, February 26. (Thank you Mapua for the one year, always grateful and thankful.)

A product of the vaunted San Beda Red Cubs high school program, Hubilla was Season 100’s Rookie of the Year, helping the Cardinals — bannered by star guard Clint Escamis — win their first NCAA title in 33 years. 

He averaged 13.0 points, 6.62 rebounds, and 1.71 assists per game in his lone year with the Cardinals. 

Hubilla was joined by teammate Lawrence Mangubat in the JRU transfer, quickly reuniting with Epondulan, who was hired as the Heavy Bombers’ head coach last month. 

Epondulan was the assistant coach of Mapua’s Randy Alcantara when they won the Season 100 title against the St. Benilde Blazers. 

Hubilla, along with Mangubat, will serve their one-year residency, before suiting up for the Heavy Bombers in Season 102. 

JRU finished Season 100 at the bottom of the 10-team league with a 4-14 record and has yet to reach the grand old league’s Final Four since 2017. 

The Kalentong-based school last won an NCAA title in 1972, with a team led by Philip Cezar and Jimmy Santos. – Rappler.com