UAAP: Precious Momowei powers UE past UST to end 5-game skid

UE’s Precious Momowei against UST defenders in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines — Precious Momowei led the balanced attack as University of the East ended its five-game losing streak after dominating University of Santo Tomas with an 86-73 victory in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Momowei, the top rookie candidate, showed the way with 17 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal as the Red Warriors kept their Final Four hopes alive with a 3-6 record.

Abdul Sawat set the tone for UE, scoring 15 of his 17 points in the first half to go with five assists and four rebounds. The Red Warriors held the Growling Tigers scoreless for over seven minutes in the third quarter before Vince Ventulan sank a triple for UST with 2:42 left in the period to cut down the deficit to 65-49.

UE tallied its biggest lead of 20 points in the fourth quarter after Momowei scored inside, 83-63, with 3:44 left and never looked back to end their woes.

“I think the boys followed the instructions. We came out very strong in the first quarter. Then we shared the ball. Good results,” said UE coach Jack Santiago. “Actually, if you enter our dugout, you will see there the big word: Teamwork. I think I explained it very well earlier. That’s why we’re struggling because we lost our extra passes. We just need to cross the hump. Hopefully, this is a good thing for us because we have one week to prepare for the next games. We will have fresh legs.”

UE Red Warriors’ Ethan Galang. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Noy Remogat had another all-around game with nine points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, while Jack Dumont-Cruz only scored five markers but he had seven dimes as UE dished out 29 assists in the game.

Ethan Galang provided quality minutes with 11 points in 10 minutes of playing time. Devin Fikes chipped in seven points before he injured his left knee late in the third quarter. Keian Spandonis and JM Tulabut added six markers each.

“My teammates made me look good, setting me up in the right position. We had almost 30 assists. When we move the ball, it makes us look undefeated. When we move the ball, we will be a top team,” said Galang.

UST dropped to a 1-8 record, losing 21 of its last 22 games dating back to last season.

Migs Pangilinan led the Tigers with 20 points, 17 from the first half. Nic Cabañero had 18 points and six rebounds, while Ivanne Calum added 11 markers.

Both teams will have more than a week as UE will battle Far Eastern University on November 5 at MOA Arena, while UST battles Adamson on November 4.

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The scores:

UE (86) – Momowei 17, Sawat 17, Galang 11, Remogat 9, Fikes 7, Spandonis 6, Tulabut 6, Cruz-Dumont 5, Maglupay 4, Lingolingo 4, Langit 0, Gilbuena 0, Alcantara 0.

UST (73) – Pangilinan 20, Cabañero 18, Calum 11, Duremdes 7, Manaytay 4, Manalang 3, Crisostomo 3, Ventulan 3, Laure 2, Lazarte 1, Moore 1, Llemit 0.

Quarterscores: 29-19, 55-46, 67-53, 86-73