The off-season has been tough for the University of the East.
Just a few months after the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Red Warriors lost their ace, Noy Remogat, who transferred to the UP Fighting Maroons.
Following suit were four more Red Warriors: Josh Alcantara, Allen Maglupay, JM Tulabut, and John Matthew Manalang.
All five former Warriors were close friends of incoming sophomore Wello Lingolingo.
And he admitted that seeing his friends leave hit hard.
“Noong una, nalungkot ako kasi nga, mga kaibigan ko sila,” said Lingolingo.
“Pero wala tayong magagawa e, kasi desisyon nila sa buhay nila yun.”
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Of course, many schools tried to lure Lingolingo out of UE as well.
After all, he was one of the top marksmen last season, knocking down 34.78-percent of his triples.
But what made Lingolingo decide to stay was gratitude.
It was UE who believed that he could deliver at the UAAP level.
“Gusto ko makita nila yung loyalty ko as a player. Kasi ang UE ang kumuha sa akin nung wala ako, kaya dun ako mag-stay sa naniwala sa akin,” the 20-year-old guard out of Lanao del Norte expressed.
During the men’s 3×3 tournament, Lingolingo shone brightly, carrying UE to a silver finish with an average of 7.5 points on 2.37 two-point makes per game.
Now, with a UAAP medal around his neck, Lingolingo is yearning for more.
He is looking to grind it out with a new-look Warriors team, hoping they could finally end the school’s Final Four drought in the sport.
“Move forward na lang kami sa mga gagawin namin next at focus muna kami kung paano kami mag-iimprove for next season,” he said.
