UE’s Rey Remogat during a game against FEU in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of the East eked out an 87-86 overtime victory over a gritty Far Eastern University side to keep its Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Noy Remogat tallied another season-high in scoring with 34 points, highlighted by six triples, that went with eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals but Jack Cruz-Dumont provided the clutch baskets in extra regulation to lift the Red Warriors to joint fifth place with Ateneo at 4-6.
Dumont scored five of his nine points in overtime including a crucial assist to Abdul Sawat to spark a 10-0 run and pull away with an 87-77 lead with 45.3 seconds left.
However, Jorick Bautista scored three straight triples to cut it down to one with 1.5 ticks left but UE successfully inbounded the ball as time ran out and the Red Warriors got away with a win to sweep FEU in the elimination round.
“I just wanna help the team in any way I can. I am a rookie in the UAAP but I have college experience back home but with Wilson out, I know that I’m gonna have to step up and play some point guard. I just went out there to do whatever I can do to get the win,” said Filipino-Canadian Dumont, who had four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
“I think our team is gonna use this as a turning point. We’ve had a lot of close games this year… This game we proved that we can get over the hump and get that win, so it was a good team win, everyone stepped up, and we’re gonna use this to build momentum for the next game,” he added.
Rey Remogat.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Remogat reset his season-high in scoring surpassing his 27-point explosion against Adamson on October 15 and became the first Red Warrior to tally more than 30 points since Alvin Pasaol in 2018.
“I’m thankful to the Lord. We’re so blessed because we were able to do what our coaches wanted us to do. We’re glad that we’re still alive and can still contend for the Final Four. Our two straight wins will help us win our next games,” said Remogat, an FEU high school product.
Sawat also stepped up with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists for UE. Ryzel Gilbuena and Wello Lingolingo had seven and six points, respectively. Precious Momowei only scored five points but he had 15 rebounds and two blocks.
UE coach Jack Santiago lauded his wards for working together after losing Devin Fikes due to an ACL injury and Gerard Wilson, who is already back in the US after a season-ending injury.
“I gave credit to my players off the bench, especially Ryzel Gilbuena, and Allen Maglupay who played very well in defense. But of course, Noy got his career-high 34 points and then Jack stepped up in overtime. He had crucial baskets there and a crucial assist. That dictated the game,” said Santiago as they face top seed University of the Philippines on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Remogat scored five straight points to give UE a 72-69 lead in the fourth with 1:33 remaining. Torres nailed the game-tying three, 72-all, but his potential go-ahead basket was blocked by Dumont and failed to attempt a shot in the final seconds that led to overtime, where Dumont emerged as a hero.
FEU dropped to 3-7 in seventh place despite Bautista’s 21 points from five three-pointers. L-Jay Gonzales had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Torres had 12 points, while Pat Sleat and returning Cholo Añonuevo added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
The scores:
UE (87) – Remogat 34, Sawat 20, Cruz-Dumont 9, Gilbuena 7, Lingolingo 6, Momowei 5, Tulabut 2, Maglupay 2, Langit 2, Cabero 0, Galang 0.
FEU (86) – Bautista 21, Gonzales 18, Torres 12, Sleat 11, Añonuevo 10, Faty 8, Tempra 4, Ona 2, Bagunu 0, Montemayor 0, Felipe 0.
Quarterscores: 18-14, 32-36, 54-56, 72-72, 87-86