As Centro Escolar University celebrated its UCAL title triumph, Precious Momowei sat quietly on the floor of the Paco Arena with the championship trophy beside him.
It was a moment he never imagined would finally come.
“Honestly, it was overwhelming in the best way. All the early mornings, the sacrifices, the doubts — it all just hit me at once,” Momowei told Tiebreaker Times.
“It really felt like everything we worked for finally paid off, and I was just grateful in that moment.”
The 6-foot-9 Nigerian big man had long been one of the UAAP’s dominant forces during his three-year stint with University of the East.
He once erupted for 42 points against UAAP powerhouse De La Salle University and consistently ranked among the league’s top players in scoring and rebounding.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite his impressive individual numbers, team success and major recognition eluded him.
Momowei never cracked the UAAP Mythical Team and never experienced a Final Four appearance during his stay with the Red Warriors.
That reality ultimately pushed him to make a difficult decision. Just weeks after UAAP Season 87 ended last December, Momowei chose to part ways with UE.
“My time with UE will always be part of my journey. I learned a lot there, both as a player and as a person,” shared Momowei.
“Even though it ended suddenly, I still appreciate the experiences and lessons I gained.”
With the help of Phenom Management Group, Momowei quickly found a new home at Centro Escolar University.
Thanks to UCAL’s eligibility rules, he was immediately cleared to suit up for the Scorpions.
(C) UCAL
“I’m really grateful. CEU gave me a fresh start and believed in me, and that meant a lot. It motivated me to work even harder.”
Momowei wasted little time making his presence felt in his first season with CEU, averaging 11.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
More importantly, he helped lead the Scorpions back to the top of the UCAL.
Now, with a championship finally in hand, Momowei is setting his sights on even bigger goals as CEU prepares for other upcoming leagues and tournaments.
“Winning once is amazing, but I don’t want to stop there. My goal is to keep improving on and off the court,” he said.
