UAAP: Family fueling Lingolingo’s inspired play for resurgent UE

UE’s Wello Lingolingo celebrates after hitting a triple against NU in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

MANILA, Philippines — With the game on the line, Wello Lingolingo was thinking of his family when he sank the crucial shots that helped University of the East overcome National University for its third straight win—its longest winning streak in a decade. 

Lingolingo scored five of his eight points down the stretch to lift UE past NU, 57-51, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Pressured by the pesky defense of the Bulldogs all game long, the 6-foot-1 guard found a way to bury a huge triple to give the Red Warriors a 53-49 cushion with a minute left. He also showed nerves of steel, calmly sinking two clutch free throws for a 55-51 lead with 14 seconds left.

READ: UAAP: UE wins third straight, beats NU in men’s basketball

Lingolingo on his clutch shots. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/4wHEF2Mbbl

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 28, 2024

“Once a year ko lang sila nakikita every Christmas. Kapag January, babalik nanaman ako dito para magaral at para magensayo,” Lingolingo, who owed his late-game heroics to his family from Kapatagan, Lanao Del Norte and Tambulig, Zamboanga Del Sur, told Inquirer Sports.

Lingolingo said being away from his family fuels him to be at his best. He also said playing allows him to continue the dream of his father Richard, who once aspired to become a professional athlete but never made it to the big leagues.

“Sila yung dahilan kung bakit ako nagpunta dito. Para sa pangarap. Sila yung nagpush sa akin na magbasketball, basketball player din kasi yung tatay ko pangarap niya ito dati. Kaya ako na lang yung nagtuloy ng pangarap niya para sa kanya,” Lingolingo said.

With an opportunity to live his dream, Lingolingo is eager to bring UE back to the semifinals for the first time since 2009 after emerging as a dark horse contender this year.

READ: UAAP: UE coach feels ‘lucky’ to have slew of guards stepping up

“Sobrang determinado. Matagal na rin hindi nakapagFinal Four yung UE. This is our chance, we have a good chance to be in the Final Four,” he said.

The fourth-year player, who was part of UE’s winless campaign in Season 84 and sixth-place finish the past two years, believes the Red Warriors’ teamwork and discipline have been key to their winning run after starting the season at 0-2.

“Sa every day naming practice pinaghihirapan namin. Go hard kami palagi. Hindi rin naman namin inexpect yung panalo sinasabi namin sa team kailangan magwork hard tayo para sa UE community and sa aming family,” Lingolingo said.