MANILA, Philippines — Pinamunuan ni Nigerian center Precious Momowei ang opensa ng University of the East upang payukuin ang National University, 74-58 sa UAAP Season 87 collegiate men’s basketball tournament na nilaro sa SM Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City kahapon.
Kumana si Momowei ng 17 points, 17 rebounds, tatlong assists at tig-isang steal at block para sa Red Warriors na tumibay ang kapit sa No. 3 sa team standings tangan ang 6-3 karta.
Sa kasagsagan ng bakbakan, nagkaroon ng mainit na pag-uusap sina Momowei at teammate John Abate sa 3:22 mark sa second quarter matapos ang dalawang krusyal error ng huli.
Ayon kay Momowei, nais lamang niyang iangat ang laro ni Abate dahil kailangan nilang manalo.
“Honestly, it’s nothing serious. I was trying to bring him up. I was trying to make him focus on the game. It’s all love and nothing serious,” ani Momowei.
Nagliyab din ang opensa ni Wello Lingolingo para sa UE matapos ilista ang 14 markers, limang boards para makabangon agad mula sa pagkakadapa kontra defending champions De La Salle University, 68-77 noong Oktubre 12.
“I think the loss against La Salle was the motivation that we needed,” ani Momowei. “Because I think we deserve to win. So, we lose some, we win some. Today’s game, we know what we are up against. It’s NU. They have a great team and all that. We just stick as a team.”
Tumikada rin si Ethan Galang ng 12 markers at apat na rebounds para sa UE na dalawang linggo ang pahinga matapos ang laban nila kontra Far Eastern University noong Linggo at University of the Philippines noong Miyerkules na sinundan ng pagkansela ng mga laro dahil sa bagyo.