UNIVERSITY of the East's Precious Momowei has arguably been the most dominant foreign student-athlete (FSA) since his rookie season in the UAAP last year.
In fact, he could have claimed Season 86 Rookie of the Year honors if not for two unsportsmanlike fouls and the one-game suspension that those brought along.
In the ongoing preseason, however, a challenger has come in the form of Henry Agunanne of defending champion De La Salle.
Nice to meet you - again
Through four games in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, the Green Archers' Nigerian tower has averaged 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Last Tuesday was the first time the two prized FSAs went against each other and in the end, La Salle pulled off a come-from-behind win over UE, 77-74.
READ: Quiambao continues to put La Salle on his back in Filoil Preseason
The final moments saw Agunanne celebrating Kevin Quiambao's late game-winning tear, while Momowei was lamenting UE's collapse in the final two minutes. Agunanne 1, Momowei 0 - and you can bet the former teammates were keeping score.
Yes, the current Green Archer and Red Warrior once donned the same jersey back when they were high school teammates in Nigeria.
"He's good. I've seen him play, played him years ago back home, but it's the first time here in the Philippines," Momowei told SPIN.ph.
Momowei then went on to share that even after their time as teammates, they remained good friends. Once Agunanne transferred from Centro Escolar University to La Salle, his old friend actually lent a helping hand on what to expect in the UAAP.
"Ahh, yes we talked and I told him what to expect there," Momowei said.
No 'topak,' just Topex
For their part, the Green Archers and head coach Topex Robinson are just glad to get a big boost from their new FSA - whom they believe has the potential for the same sort of impact Ben Mbala once delivered to Taft Ave.
"He's a good kid, he's not all about individualism, he does what he's told. Walang toyo, walang topak," he said.
And while he's already taking care of rebounds and standing as paint presence, the 22-year-old Agunanne admitted that he's still adjusting to La Salle's offense as well as the UAAP's higher level of competition.
Still, there's only one thing on his mind: contributing to the Green Archers' quest for back-to-back championships.
"I've been here [Philippines] two, three years now. I like my new teammates, I like the coaches. I always remember that we are playing as a team, it's not me versus whoever, we are a team," Agunanne said.
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