UE Crimson Warriors’ Treasured Momowei throughout a UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball recreation in opposition to Ateneo Blue Eagles. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.web
College of the East (UE) was beneath the radar for your complete UAAP preseason up till two video games into the Season 87 males’s basketball match.
Not anymore.
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After back-to-back lopsided losses to College of Santo Tomas and College of the Philippines to begin the season, it might appear a surprise for everybody the place the Crimson Warriors are drawing gasoline for his or her sudden change of tempo.
Not Jack Santiago.
“Treasured [Momowei], who we all know is the guts and soul of the crew,” the UE coach advised a pair of reporters beforehand.
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And boy, did Momowei present why.
He performed nonstop for 40 minutes to energy UE previous Ateneo on late Wednesday evening, 69-62. The reedy heart refused to buckle beneath the burden of a 10-point deficit to the Blue Eagles and as an alternative dropped 18 factors and 15 rebounds to spearhead the comeback win.
That was the fourth straight win for UE because it continues to experience a run highlighted by a shock victory over defending champion La Salle and Wednesday’s conquer Ateneo, the Warriors’ first in opposition to the Eagles since Season 78.
New daybreak, anybody?
“We now have all had this perception ever for the reason that begin of this season. Our No. 1 aim is making the Closing 4. No matter it takes. We simply should be constant and play as a crew,” Momowei, who credited his teammates’ contributions, mentioned as UE continues to take the league by storm.
Soul evident
“We had a great win, however I really feel like on the finish of the day, it is a crew sport. We’re all like one huge household. Ethan [Galang] was injured, so everybody tonight stepped up. I really feel like that’s what we did tonight. I’m simply pleased that we obtained the win on the finish of the day,” he mentioned.
Momowei’s soul has been evident to date for the Warriors. He could not all the time have been a scoring menace however his presence is constantly felt in pulling unfastened balls, win or lose. He hasn’t completed a recreation with single-digit rebounds.
The Nigerian huge man means enterprise as he helps UE obtain its aim of returning to the Closing 4 this season—“no matter it takes.”
“That is my job. That is what I do for a residing, so I’m able to play 100 minutes, 40 minutes. I’m simply able to die on the market. That is what I signed up for, so yeah, I’m prepared for the problem, no matter it takes,” he mentioned.
The subsequent 40 minutes will probably be essential once more as UE exams its newfound mettle in opposition to one other squad that has its eyes on a Closing 4 seat in Adamson to wrap up its first-round assignments.
“Our previous couple of video games are very essential for us, even for the opposite groups as a result of apart from having a great standing … I take into account this [a chance to improve] our positioning,” Santiago mentioned. “As a lot as doable we need to break free already.”
“[We’ll] benefit from the victory [on Wednesday night] however tomorrow we return to actuality. Realizing [the Soaring Falcons], they performed nicely their previous few video games, they’ve an extended relaxation so for certain, they’re gonna put together for us this coming Sunday. So we’ll simply do our jobs and hopefully additionally get one over Adamson,” Santiago added.
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