HEAD COACH: Jack Santiago (fourth season)
LAST SEASON: 4-10 (6th)
HOLDOVERS: Precious Momowei, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Welo Lingo-Lingo, Ethan Galang, Rey Maga, Gjerard Wilson, Devin Fikes
SUBTRACTIONS: Noy Remogat, Abdul Sawat, Allen Maglupay, Josh Alcantara, JM Tulabut
ADDITIONS: Nico Mulingtapang, Ronjie Go, Drew Jimenez, John Abate (Spring Hill AL), Hunter Cruz-Dumont (Simon Fraser BC)
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BELIEVE it or not, Jack Santiago feels that UE is bound for bigger things in the oncoming UAAP Season 87.
It may not be a popular opinion, but Santiago is adamant that the power vacuum left by Rey Remogat’s departure actually prompted those left behind to step up and play to their full potential.
“I think what’s good about right now is walang superstar sa team. Everybody is capable of playing and helping the team and yun ang tingin kong mas magandang nangyayari,” he said.
“We work hard at one team kami ngayon, unlike last season na alam natin kung kanino pupunta ang bola. Ngayon, we move the ball, everybody touches the ball, and we really play as a team.”
It also doesn’t hurt that the Red Warriors have Precious Momowei at their disposal.
The Nigerian big - coming off a dominant performance last year where he racked up per game counts of 12.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 assists - arguably stands as the best foreign student-athlete (FSA) in the field right now and is back for an encore.
But for Santiago, that statement branding Momowei as the best isn’t just a mere opinion. It’s actually a fact.
“He is,” the coach answered without a shadow of a doubt, exuding belief in Momowei being the standard among FSAs.
My precious can't be the one to rule 'em all
Still, Santiago was quick to remind that the success of the Recto squad could not hinge on Momowei alone.
“Yun ang lagi kong ine-emphasize sa players, na Momowei cannot bring us to the Final Four by himself. Certainly, Momowei is a big help for us, but it has to be a team effort,” he said.
Depth, to Santiago, will be the biggest ace up UE’s sleeve.
Jack Cruz-Dumont has transitioned well into the point guard spot, as he fills the playmaking role together with fellow guards Ethan Galang, Rain Maga, and rookie Nico Mulingtapang.
Wello Lingo-Lingo has also established himself as a reliable winger, while John Abate’s tireless effort has made his adjustment seamless for his first year with the Red Warriors.
Slasher Gjerard Wilson, who will play his final year, and sophomore slotman Devin Fikes are also back from injuries and are primed to earn heavy minutes, if not getting starting nods for UE.
READ: Who replaces Rey Remogat in UE? Gjerard Wilson has something to say about that
Having those players should make the Red Warriors a dangerous bunch, much to the liking of Santiago.
“Basta nakikita ko yung players ko na they fight hard, ok ako. Sabi ko nga sa players ko, this is the deep bench that we want compared to the other seasons. It’s unfortunate nga na 'di ko sila malalaro lahat ng mahabang minutes," he stated.
"Kaya nga I tell the players once you get inside, maglaro lang kayo and we’ll surprise a lot of teams. Every player right now is capable of playing and yun ang advantage namin to make it to the next level.”
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The UE Red Warriors' first assignment in Season 87 is against the UST Growling Tigers on Sunday, September 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.
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