PRECIOUS Momowei didn’t mince words in describing yet another lackluster performance for once red-hot University of the East.
Already coming off their lowest single-game scoring output in over two decades, with only 37 points in their loss to Adamson, the Red Warriors remained stuck in the mud for another defeat, this time at the hands of resurgent Far Eastern University, 51-59.
READ: FEU crosses over to Espana to pound on already-grounded UE
By the numbers alone, it’s safe to say that the red-and-white has been overly reliant on one person in this midseason skid.
Norming 16 points and 19 boards in the last two games, Momowei has been UE’s go-to guy at both ends.
As of late, however, it seems he's been at it all alone.
And he’s had enough.
Sh*t happens
The 6-foot-9 Nigerian big aired his frustrations and lamented what he deemed to be an inexplicable Red Warriors downturn.
“Sh*t. We have been playing like sh*t lately. I don't know what the f*ck is wrong with us, honestly," he said, with expletives the first words out of his mouth after being approached by reporters for interview.
"We are in a good spot right now, but I don't know what's wrong, honestly. We have been playing bad lately, so I really don't know what to say.”
The only positive he’s found in the midst of sudden disarray? The foundations built by a six-win campaign so far, which UE will hold onto ever-so firmly in what could be a photo finish in the race to the Final Four.
As he put it, “If you check, we are still on the sixth win, fifth loss. We still have three more games, so hopefully, we will win every game."
Indeed, the Red Warriors remain holding their own fate in their hands, still in solo possession of the third-seed.
With University of Santo Tomas (5-6), Adamson and FEU (4-7), Ateneo (3-8), and National U (2-8) hot on their heels, however, Momowei is calling on his teammates to follow his lead and show urgency to end the eliminations.
“I’ll continue to rally my team. I do that every day. I do that in practice, in games," he said.
“I want to win, you know. I want to be in the Final Four. I’ll try my best to make them focus.”
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