University of the East is preparing to appeal for a possible downgrade of the unsportsmanlike fouls called on Nigerian center Precious Momowei during their 67-76 loss to University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Momowei’s first unsportsmanlike foul occurred at the 5:18 mark of the second quarter when he accidentally elbowed Malian center Mo Tounkara in the face, which busted Tounkara’s nose.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The pivotal moment of the game came at the 5:13 mark of the fourth quarter when Momowei was ejected for unintentionally striking Gelo Crisostomo right brow area, resulting in heavy bleeding.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“For sure, the school will write a letter regarding Momowei. But of course, hindi natin alam kung ano yung magiging final decision ng board,” head coach Jack Santiago confirmed to reporters after the loss.
If the Red Warriors’ appeal is denied by the league’s commissioner’s office, Momowei will miss their crucial game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The 22-year-old center was fourth in the MVP race after the first round with 68.286 statistical points. He will be ineligible to receive any season awards for the second straight year.
Momowei was the frontrunner to win last season’s Rookie of the Year award before his suspension due to two unsportsmanlike fouls committed against Adamson University and De La Salle University.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“He’s a nice kid, kaya for sure, he doesn’t mean na masaktan yung players talaga. Maybe accident lang talaga. Hindi ko naman siya nakausap, ganyan naman si Precious ‘eh. Kapag disappointed siya, hindi mo kailangan salubungin yung emotions niya,” Santiago explained.
“Again, we are hopeful na the decision will be in our favor, but at the end of the day, 5-on-5 lang naman ang laro ‘eh. We just need to prepare for Ateneo. Ateneo is out of the contention already, but of course, they want to finish Season 87 on a winning note also.”
Should Momowei’s second unsportsmanlike foul not be rescinded, Santiago remained confident in his team’s ability to overcome Ateneo, who will field an All-Filipino lineup.
Momowei’s ejection sparked a late UE surge, with Jack Cruz-Dumont and Rainier Maga combining for a nine-point run that pulled the Red Warriors within five points at 64-69 with 2:48 left.
Despite their late rally, they fell short, suffering their fourth loss in five games. Cruz-Dumont finished with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Wello Lingolingo contributed 13 points and six rebounds.
Devin Fikes ended with 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Maga added nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block.
“Hindi naman kami bago don sa ganon. Remember last season na we faced Ateneo without an import also. Ang maganda lang diyan sa nakita namin kanina is that we saw the other players stepping up. Hopefully, by next game, madala pa rin nila ‘yon,” the former La Salle assistant coach shared.
“Remember, nung hindi pa nato-thrown out si Precious, we went All-Filipino. So at least nakita natin kahit papaano na naka-recover yung team. ‘Yon lang siguro yung medyo i-eembrace namin na we’re gonna practice on Monday without Precious muna just to be ready.”
#WATCH: Precious Momowei expresses regret and apologizes to Gelo Crisostomo and UST, clarifying that the hit was unintentional 🛡️
📹 @ErnestTuazon/ Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/tWowZ6lpI1
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 9, 2024
