Wello Lingolingo, right, celebrates after hitting the game-winner at the buzzer to push UE Red Warriors past Adamson Falcons in UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
University of the East’s Wello Lingolingo drained a hail mary from midrange to rescue the Red Warriors with a 63-62 win over Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Lingolingo rebounded a miss by Nico Mulingtapang with just a little over a second left and sank the game-winner for the Warriors over the outstretched arms of Joshua Yerro to end the first round on a five-game winning streak.
“First of all, we thank God because our winning streak is really putting pressure on us, so I’m very thankful that they’re following the game plan. Their efforts are truly answered prayers,” coach Jack Santiago said.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
With the time winding down, Lingolingo said he just pounced on the opportunity to win the game.
“For the last shot, it was like I was in the right place at the right time. I just got the ball, and when I saw the time, I took the shot because I couldn’t do anything else, and luckily, it went in,” Lingolingo said.
Precious Momowei was still an unstoppable force for UE with another all-around performance of 14 points, 11 rebounds and three steals after barely being subbed out. Devin Fikes, one of the cogs who kept the trailing Warriors afloat in the first half, had 11 points.
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Game hero Lingolingo and Ethan Galang, who did not miss and brought UE within just a possession at the end of the third quarter, contributed 10 points and five rebounds each. Lingolingo also had three steals.
The Falcons wasted no time taking control of the match, keeping a 10 point advantage by sinking more than half of their shots against the Warriors who, despite trailing continued, fighting.
RWAD: UAAP: Lingolingo’s no-quit mentality pays off with UE game winner
And it worked as UE narrowed the deficit to just five before the end of first half, 39-34, behind the indefatigable Momowei who already had 12 points and Fikes 11, at the half.
Galang hit back-to-back triples to end the third quarter, 50-48. Manu Anabo sank both of his charity shots, 57-53 before the Warriors finally caught up with the Falcons at 57-all.
Rainer Maga drove for a layup, 62-61, before Ced Manzano forced Momowei to a shot clock violation with 39.9 seconds left. Mulingtapang waved off his teammates and let out a bad shot before the heroic play by Lingolingo.
UE rose to the third spot and if La Salle absorbs a second loss in their Finals rematch against University of the Philippines going on as of posting, the Warriors could see themselves at the No. 2 seat with a 5-2 card.