Wello Lingolingo went wild on a Sunday night, delivering a game-winning moment that secured University of the East’s thrilling 63-62 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With the clock winding down, Lingolingo secured an offensive rebound off a poorly missed jumper by Nico Mulingtapang.
He then went up for a double-pump bank shot at the buzzer, sealing the win and extending the Red Warriors’ magical winning streak to five games.
UE finished the first round with a 5-2 record, good for solo third place.
“Sinasabi ni Coach Jack (Santiago) na hindi dapat hinahanap ‘yung laro, hayaan mo ‘yung laro ‘yung pupunta sa’yo. ‘Yun lang yung ginagawa ko, wala akong tinitake na forced shot.
He added, “‘Yung game-winning shot, hindi ko talaga inexpect, parang nandoon lang talaga ako tapos na-make ko lang, salamat kay God,” said Lingolingo.
“Yung nakita ko yung oras, hindi ako nagdalawang-isip. Luckily, pumasok yung shot.”
The Red Warriors only led twice in the game, the first being a 53-52 advantage at the 7:53 mark of the fourth frame on a Lingolingo three-pointer before the Soaring Falcons answered back.
Their second lead was the game-winner.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
This victory marked UE’s longest winning streak since Season 77, when the Derrick Pumaren-led Red Warriors also won five consecutive games in 2014.
Fourth-year Red Warriors head coach Jack Santiago expressed his mixed feelings about the streak, saying, “‘Yung winning streak namin is giving me pressure talaga. I’m so happy with the guys. At least ngayon nakikita ko talaga na ‘yung character namin is starting to build, and talagang ayaw magpatalo ng mga bata.”
Precious Momowei, who played all but 23 seconds of the game, was instrumental in the win.
The Nigerian center led the Red Warriors with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Meanwhile, Devin Fikes chipped in 11 points, including three triples.
Lingolingo, known for his long-range shooting, found success inside the paint. He scored 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, adding five rebounds and three steals.
Ethan Galang, returning from a knee injury, also contributed with a perfect shooting performance, scoring 10 points on four attempts.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other side, Adamson once again let a double-digit lead slip away, just as they had in their previous game against University of the Philippines.
The Soaring Falcons, now sliding to a 3-4 record at solo fifth, were led by Mat Montebon, who shot 12 points but missed a key triple that could have given the Falcons a four-point lead.
Matty Erolon had 11 points.
The Scores:
UE 63 – Momowei 14, Fikes 11, Lingolingo 10, Galang 10, J. Cruz-Dumont 8, Mulingtapang 4, Maga 4, Abate 2, Wilson 0, Spandonis 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.
AdU 62 – Montebon 12, Erolon 11, Manzano 9, Mantua 9, Yerro 7, Calisay 6, Fransman 5, Anabo 2, Ojarikre 1, Barasi 0, Barcelona 0, Dignadice 0, Ramos 0, Ignacio 0.
Quarterscores: 18-23, 34-39, 48-50, 63-62
