Wello Lingolingo went wild on a Sunday night.
Lingolingo lifted University of the East to a 63-62 victory with an off-the-bank jumper at the buzzer over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Lingolingo grabbed the offensive board off a Nico Mulingtapang badly-missed jumper in the waning seconds of the match then went up for the shot that extended the Red Warriors’ magical winning streak to five games for a 5-2 record at the end of first round, good for solo third.
“‘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 starting to build and talagang ayaw magpatalo ng mga bata,” said UE head coach Jack Santiago.
“Sinasabi ni coach Jack na hindi dapat hinahanap ‘yung laro, hayaan mo ‘yung laro ‘yung pupunta sayo. ‘Yun lang yung ginagawa ko wala akong tinitake na forced shot. ‘Yung game-winning shot hindi ko talaga inexpect, parang nandoon lang talaga ako tapos na-make ko lang salamat kay God,” said Lingolingo the hero.
“Yung nakita ko yung oras, hindi ako nag-dalawang isip. Luckily, pumasok yung shot,” said Lingolingo
This winning run was UE’s longest since the Derrick Pumaren-coached squad in Season 77 also won five consecutive back in 2014.
After playing the entire game against Ateneo last Wednesday, Nigerian center Precious Momowei this time played all but 23 seconds, leading the Red Warriors with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Devin Fikes added 11 points built on three triples while Lingolingo, a marksman from deep, found success inside, going 3-of-5 inside the arc to end up with 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
Ethan Galang also made his return after missing last game due to a knee injury, contributing 10 points on a perfect shooting from the field, making all four of his attempts.
Adamson squandered another double-digit lead after University of the Philippines came back from 22 down last time out, sliding the team down to 3-4 at solo fifth.
Mathew Montebon paced the Soaring Falcons with 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while Matt Erolon chipped in 11 points.
Cedrick Manzano and Royce Mantua also produced nine points apiece in the loss.
