EVERYBODY expected Precious Momowei to dominate the field for University of the East this UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
What many did not anticipate, however, is how he’ll do it.
The Nigerian forward has done damage by taking care of the paint by averaging 13.4 rebounds on top of his 9.8 points and 1.0 blocks through five games.
But more than the numbers Momowei is putting up, what makes him special is how he has been the gear that has been keeping the Red Warriors running – one that coach Jack Santiago is taking great solace seeing.
“Si Precious, he’s really a coachable guy. I was surprised nga kasi hindi siya ang team captain namin, pero kita mo na he’s the one pushing the locals sa practice. Nagagalit siya 'pag nagkakaroon kami ng mistakes and I really appreciate the attitude of Precious,” the coach said.
Recto's best?
With the way Momowei has acted in Recto, Santiago couldn’t help but compare him to past foreign student-athletes in UE like Adama Diakhite, Moustapha Arafat, and Charles Mammie.
Mammie, of course, was the man in the middle when the Red Warriors last came close of making it to the Final Four back in Season 77 a decade ago. The Ivorian slotman, together with Roi Sumang, steered the Derrick Pumaren-coached team to a fourth place playoff against National University, but eventually missed out on the dance.
Santiago, who was an assistant coach to Franz Pumaren in La Salle that time, said with authority: “I think better version si Precious.”
And it’s not just that Momowei is putting the effort on and off the floor. His no-nonsense mentality has also rubbed off on his teammates which has led to UE’s early success in this campaign.
“Kinausap ko yang mga yan and sabi ko na you don’t need to be a captain ball to be a leader. Everybody can be a leader, hindi lang yung captains namin na si Jack Cruz-Dumont and Wello [Lingolingo],” said Santiago.
“Momowei has done that, and maybe yan yung dahilan kaya rin nag-step up sila [Rain] Maga, Ethan [Galang]. Talagang they put in the effort to talk to their teammates and I’m so happy seeing my players doing those little things.”
Red-y for more
Holding a 3-2 record midway through the first round, Santiago understands that there’s still a lot of basketball to be played and this is not the time for UE to fall into the traps of complacency and fall under the weight of immense pressure.
READ: UE stretches streak to three after warding off luckless NU
That’s the reason he has kept that challenge for wards to preserve that hunger if they really do want to achieve the goals they set forth before the season began – to make it to the Final Four and end the Red Warriors' 15-year playoff drought.
“It’s a matter of accepting my challenge because I know the kids can play and win big games,” said Santiago. “Hopefully, we keep on working hard and eventually, bring the school back to the Final Four.”
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