WELLO Lingolingo just couldn't save the day in his return.
The senior forward went from hero to zero in University of the East's bitter 78-74 loss to Ateneo on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena to officially drop out of contention in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
Lingolingo, back from his three-game ban, saw his 19-point night end up in disaster, as he missed the potential game-winning three in the final minute to see the Red Warriors fall down to 0-10 - their 16th straight loss dating back to last year.
Instead, the Blue Eagles stole the victory, storming back from an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter, with Ian Espinosa sealing the win at the free throw line.
Divine Adili, returning from a back injury, did get the rousing return collecting 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block to snap his team's five-game slump and rise to a 5-5 card.
"I don't think we can overemphasize how important that has been. It's pretty evident that when Divine is out there, he changes the dynamic and we got a lot out of him," said coach Tab Baldwin of his Nigerian rookie.
Kymani Ladi led the way for the Blue Eagles with 16 points and nine boards, Espinosa scored 13, and Dom Escobar pulled nine points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Red Warriors remain dangerous
Nonetheless, Baldwin tipped his hat to the fight that the Red Warriors gave them.
"What an outstanding effort of UE. We knew that their top three players, they're just top-tier players and they did a good job and they did everything but to win the game," he said.
Momowei tallied 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, while John Abate got 18 points, six assists, and four boards before fouling out with 1:20 to play.
But as the case in UE's past defeats, it just could not hit the right shots when it mattered, as the Recto side found themselves cuffed and scoreless in the last 2:15.
The Scores:
ATENEO 78 - Ladi 16, Adili 15, Espinosa 13, Escobar 11, Tuano 9, Espina 7, Lazaro 4, Bongo 3, Bahay 0, Lazo 0, Fjellvang 0.
UE 74 - Momowei 19, Lingolingo 19, Abate 18, Despi 8, Datumalim 6, Robles 2, Cruz-Dumont 2, Caoile 0, Lagat 0, Malaga 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 39-40, 57-64, 78-74.
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