UAAP: UE gets hot, delivers La Salle’s first loss in men’s basketball

UE Red Warriors’ John Abates and Wello Lingolingo during a game against the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–University of the East stunned defending champion La Salle, 75-71, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena

John Abate keyed the Red Warriors to victory with 20 points on a 85.7 percent shooting and five rebounds for a back-to-back win for UE who previously got its first win against Far Eastern University on Wednesday.

Wello Lingolingo delivered 18 points from a 60 percent clip from behind the arc, Gjerard Wilson finished with 10 points while Precious Momowei dominated the paint with 12 rebounds as UE leveled its record to 2-2.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball 

“I will give credit to the boys because during our practice I saw the intensity already and I just told them that we just need to have a good start and as much as possible we keep the game close and the boys responded well,” coach Jack Santiago said.

“It’s a great honor to just play a team that has that type of status but we also have our status, too,” Abate said. “We came to represent ourselves and at the end of the day it’s just another team, it’s five on five we’re gonna compete and execute to the best that we can every given night against any team.”

UE Red Warriors’ Wello Lingolingo in a game against La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Red Warriors did just that with a 28-11 outing in the first quarter with Lingolingo already creating 12 points at halftime and a 4-of-8 shooting from three-point land while Abate had a perfect field goal for 11 points.

La Salle pulled within just two at the start of the third quarter but UE’s hot shooting was consistent as the Warriors padded up their cushion once more, 56-50.

READ: UAAP: UE finds heroes in veteran players to end winless start

EJ Gollena split his free throws to cut UE’s deficit to just 10 as La Salle implemented a full court press from a timeout. But UE used that to its advantage, using the full length of the court to get the ball to Momowei who made a slam dunk for the 71-59 lead.

The Archers played with a sense of urgency in the dying minutes and forced a 12-2 run to get into striking distance, 73-71, behind reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, JC Macalalag and Mike Phillips.

Quiambao missed his two crucial free throws with 15.8 seconds left before fouling Abate to stop the clock. Abate drained both to give UE a much needed breathing room, 75-71.

Quiambao still had 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the upset that gave the Archers their first loss this season in four games. Mike Phillips was also productive with 16 points, nine rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

Vhoris Marasigan added 10 points while Henry Agaunanne had eight points and seven rebounds.

UE guns for another upset and to extend its winning streak against National University on Sept. 28 also at MOA Arena.