THROUGH grit and grind, the Red Warriors are making University of the East great again.
That was evident anew on Wednesday as the Recto crew crawled back from a 10-point deficit to pull off a 69-62 comeback triumph over Ateneo at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Utilizing a nine-man rotation, the boys of coach Jack Santiago gutted it out and earned their fourth straight victory in UAAP Season 87 – their longest win streak since 2013 – to rise to 4-2.
And making the decision even sweeter was how it ended a nine-year drought against the Blue Eagles, with UE last taking a win from Katipunan way back in Nov. 14, 2015 when Chris Javier anchored a 74-69 victory.
This time, it was Rain Maga who sparked the uprising, draining two treys in the fourth quarter before Devin Fikes, Precious Momowei, and John Abate took the Red Warriors home to complete the turnaround.
It was a huge 32-point fourth quarter eruption for the red-and-white as it recovered from a seven-point showing in the third frame.
Momowei played all 40 minutes for UE to lead his squad with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists.
Wello Lingolingo also shot 3-of-4 from deep for 13 points, three steals, and two boards, Abate went 7-of-10 from the free throw line for nine points and five rebounds, and Maga scored eight in a game where the Red Warriors fought back from a 47-37 deficit to start the payoff period.
"Na-challenge lang sa akin yung mga bata na they need to step up and they have to fill yung spot ni Ethan Galang," said Santiago as, indeed, his wards more than made up for the absence of the Fil-Am winger due to a knee injury.
Grounded Eagles
Ateneo dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season to sink to 1-5, its worst start under Tab Baldwin.
Josh Lazaro tried to be the shining light for the Blue Eagles with 14 points and seven rebounds, as Shawn Tuano also got 14 and three in the loss.
The Scores:
UE 69 – Momowei 18, Lingolingo 13, Abate 9, Maga 8, J. Cruz-Dumont 8, Fikes 7, Mulingtapang 4, Wilson 2, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.
ATENEO 62 – Lazaro 14, Tuano 14, Bahay 12, Bongo 7, Balogun 6, Porter 6, Espinosa 2, Koon 1, Quitevis 0, Espina 0, Gamber 0.
Quarters: 16-15, 30-26, 37-45, 69-62.
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