WHILE Wello Lingolingo couldn’t suit up forUniversity of the East during his three-game suspension, that didn’t mean he didn't serve the squad in other ways.
The 21-year-old guard took on scouting, coaching, and leadership duties all at once to keep the Red Warriors sharp in their matchups against FEU, Ateneo, and La Salle.
Having a frontrow seat to Lingolingo’s efforts was none other than co-captain John Abate, who saw his embattled teammate channel his frustration into something productive.
“Wello definitely learned how to be more of a vocal leader, especially leading at practice,” Abate shared.
“It’s not only just being there on the sideline, but also being in our scout team for being able to represent the best scorer or the best shooter [of the other team]. He really helped the players who don't get that much playing time, so it was more on him really leading them and making sure that they do their parts.”
Instead of giving in to dejection, Abate saw Lingolingo face the rough patch with high spirits, determined to improve his physical readiness and overall maturity as an integral part of UE’s core.
“He's definitely been putting extra work, spending more time in the weight room, being able to rehabilitate his body,” he said.
“On the court or in practice, he was definitely more vocal and also representing the other team's best shooter or best scorer. That's how he really got us ready on and off the court. He's really stepped up in his position.”
UE won't go gently into the night
Now out of the UAAP Season 88 Final Four picture and winless in 16 UAAP games since late in the elimination round of Season 87, finishing the year with at least one victory would be the best remedy for yet another forgettable run.
Good thing then that head coach Chris Gavina will be back from suspension in their game against the University of the Philippines on Saturday.
“It definitely hurts. It sucks in the moment, but you can't draw on it too much — kind of like a turnover, you know. We got to move on to the next play and have that next man mentality," said Abate.
READ: Ateneo comes back to life after furious fightback vs UE
“The assistant coaches have been doing a great job and the other players have also been doing a great job to just adapt to it all, really.”
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