After suffering its fourth consecutive defeat, the University of the East now finds itself in a challenging position as it hopes to secure one of the last two Final Four spots in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Red Warriors were once only one win away from clinching a semifinal berth for the first time since Season 72 in 2009.
Now, they are scrambling for answers after dropping their fourth game in five outings with a 67-71 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday night at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Despite the mental challenges that have turned what should have been a historic season into a difficult campaign, third-year guard Wello Lingolingo remains confident in UE’s chances to make the Final Four.
“Yung mental toughness namin, nawawala. Parang nawala yung winning attitude and mentality namin kaya it’s hard for us, lalo na with the way we’re playing,” Lingolingo told Tiebreaker Times.
“It’s really hard dahil hindi rin kami makabawi. We’re gonna try our best pa rin. We’re gonna clinch that Final Four spot, for sure talaga.”
Lingolingo further admitted to struggling with his role as a leader on a team facing a four-game losing streak, all while watching his teammates battle their own challenges.
His teammates’ struggles were highlighted by a missed layup from Reinier Maga, which would have tied the game but rimmed out with 11 seconds left.
Throughout UE’s losing streak, the shooter from Lanao del Norte has not only been grappling with mental and leadership challenges but also with on-court struggles. He’s found himself limited to an average of 7.75 points on a poor 27-percent shooting clip.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I’m dealing with my own emotions din. Kailangan ko rin bumawi at kailangan ko rin ipakita sa kanila na as a leader, kailangan ko rin mag-perform. Yun ata yung kulang sa akin,” explained the Season 86 3×3 silver medalist.
He added, “Yung mintis ni Maga, it’s a good take naman. Hindi namin siya masisisi kasi it’s a good play, ayaw lang talaga pumasok. Maybe hindi lang para sa amin yung laro.”
Now, the Red Warriors’ Final Four hopes hinge on a match against the Season 86 runners-up UP Fighting Maroons next Wednesday, November 20, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
If UE manages to pull off a surprising win against UP, it will automatically secure a Final Four berth.
However, a loss would place them in a playoff for the last semifinal spot as the fourth seed.
With this in mind, Lingolingo hopes to shake off the mental rust and challenges UE has faced during its four-game skid. He vows to give his all in the must-win game, hoping his teammates will follow his lead.
“Yung mental namin. Nawawala kami, hindi lang isang player yung nawawala. Medyo nagkukulang din mga veterans, kailangan i-work on yung mental toughness. So ‘yun yung ata kailangan namin i-work lalo na against a much stronger team in UP,” he shared.
“Yung mindset namin is ibubuhos na namin yung lahat. Hindi rin naman namin ginusto yung ganitong pangyayari, so kailangan na lang namin mag-work and lalo ibuhos ang lahat.”
