De La Salle University survived the 42-point explosion of Precious Momowei and the late injury to Kean Baclaan, outlasting the University of the East in a thrilling overtime duel, 111-110, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Green Archers roared back from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to snap their two-game skid and improve to 3-3 for solo fifth, while the Red Warriors remained winless at 0-6.
In the extra period, Nico Mulingtapang, Dray Caoile, and Momowei combined for six straight points to give UE a 104-98 cushion. But La Salle refused to fold.
Trailing 107-104 with 1:46 left, Earl Abadam sparked the rally with a reverse layup, followed by Jacob Cortez’s four consecutive points — including a cold-blooded turnaround jumper — to seize a 110-107 lead with just 23.3 seconds remaining.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“When I saw Kean getting stretchered off the court, it motivated us to step up. Not only did I step up, everyone did today,” said Cortez, who exploded for 16 of his 26 points in the final 8:11 of play, while also tallying five assists and four steals. “We all started wrong, but it’s all about how you end.”
Head coach Topex Robinson entered the press room after the game but had to step out, overcome with emotion following the dramatic finish and Baclaan’s injury.
Baclaan went down with 4:20 left in regulation, and UE was leading 89-84 after colliding with Wello Lingolingo during a loose-ball scramble.
Lingolingo accidentally landed on Baclaan’s left leg and was later ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul (category 2), having already incurred a technical earlier for faking a foul.
As Baclaan was carried off the floor in tears, Cortez took it upon himself to rally the team, scoring 10 straight points to turn the tide and put La Salle ahead, 98-93, with 1:18 left in regulation.
Momowei and CJ Abate, however, refused to back down, scoring five unanswered points to force overtime.
“It feels good to win, but honestly, I’m just praying for Kean right now,” said team captain Mike Phillips, who finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. “Everyone gathered together and said we had to win it for Kean.”
Abadam also stepped up in La Salle’s first game without Mason Amos, who sat out due to a knee injury, contributing 18 points.
Baclaan had 17 points, four assists, and three rebounds before exiting the game.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite the loss, Momowei was a force of nature, dropping a career-high 42 points on top of 13 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
The 6-foot-9 Nigerian became the first UAAP player to breach the 40-point mark since UE’s Alvin Pasaol erupted for 49 points on October 4, 2017 — ironically, also in a losing effort against La Salle, 100-106.
Abate added 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Lingolingo finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and two assists before his ejection.
The Scores:
DLSU (111) – Cortez 26, Abadam 18, Phillips 18, Baclaan 17, Pablo 8, Marasigan 8, Gollena 4, Macalalag 4, Nwankwo 4, Daep 3, Dungo 1, Melencio 0.
UE (110) – Momowei 42, Abate 25, Lingolingo 24, Caoile 6. Mulingtapang 4, Tañedo 4, Datumalim 3, Robles 2, Malaga 0, Lagat 0, Cabero 0.
Quarterscores: 23-33, 48-60, 74-72, 98-98, 111-110
