MANILA, Philippines – UE’s dream run in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament continues in spectacular fashion as the red-hot Warriors stunned the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 63-62, thanks to a Wello Lingolingo buzzer-beater at the rocking Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, October 6.
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— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) October 6, 2024
LINGOLINGO PANALO!
Pandemonium ensues at the Mall of Asia Arena as Wello Lingolingo buries the buzzer-beating jumper to lift UE past Adamson for the Red Warriors' fifth straight win!
That is UE's longest win streak in 10 years.#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/afHNQyHuFt
After once looking down in the dumps with a 0-2 start to the season, the dark-horse contender now carries a 10-year best five-game winning streak for a 5-2 record with a chance to enter the second round as the second-ranked team should La Salle lose to undefeated UP later in the evening.
Precious Momowei led the superb escape with game-highs of 14 points and 11 rebounds, offsetting a 6-turnover total and a 1-of-7 free throw clip.
Devin Fikes added 11 points while the returning Ethan Galang and Lingolingo each scored 10, the latter reaching double digits off his Hail Mary mid-range fling coming off a bricked Nico Mulingtapang isolation jumper in the final possession.
“Coach Jack [Santiago] always tells us that we shouldn’t seek the game and let the game come to us instead,” Lingolingo said in Filipino. “When I wasn’t able to shoot threes, I just found a way to contribute on defense. I just happened to be there for the game-winner.”
Lingolingo was likewise responsible for UE’s only other lead of the game, 53-52, coming off a triple that capped an 11-2 rally at the 7:53 mark of the fourth to erase Adamson’s 50-42 lead late in the third.
“Our win streak is really giving me pressure, but I’m very thankful for the answered prayers they are giving us,” UE head coach said in Filipino. “I’m really able to see our character where the guys just refuse to lose.”
Monty Montebon paced the heartbreaking loss with 12 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds as the Falcons dove down a 3-4 slate to end the first round at fifth place.
Matty Erolon scored 11, with his last points coming off a three that swung the lead back to Adamson, 55-53, with 7:31 to play.
UE guns for its sixth straight victory next weekend, either on Saturday, October 12, or Sunday, October 13, while Adamson aims to rebound from a two-game slide.
UE 63 – Momowei 14, Fikes 11, Lingolingo 10, Galang 10, J. Cruz-Dumont 8, Mulingtapang 4, Maga 4, Abate 2, Wilson 0, Spandonis 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.
Adamson 62 – Montebon 12, Erolon 11, Mantua 9, Manzano 9, Yerro 7, Calisay 6, Fransman 5, Anabo 2, Ojarikre 1, Barasi 0, Ramos 0, Ignacio 0, Barcelona 0, Dignadice 0.
Quarters: 18-23, 34-39, 48-50, 63-62.
– Rappler.com
