WELLO Lingolingo had to leave his family behind to pursue his basketball dream.
When University of the East’s 6-foot-1 playmaker found his team downed for the count after a surprise offseason player exodus, he made sure his family home in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte will be the last and only home he’ll be leaving from.
And so, when many doubted the Red Warriors, Lingolingo still believed — a gambit that’s starting to pay off.
Paying it forward
Even after losing Rey Remogat, Lingolingo’s good pal, the UE mainstay shared why he chose to keep the faith in the only school that took a chance on him.
“Nag-stay ako kasi UE kumuha sa’kin nu’ng time na nag-tryout ako rito. Sinusuklian ko lang ‘yung kabutihan na binigay nila sa’kin. Pinagsikapan ko, pinagsikapan namin na dumating sa ganitong sitwasyon,” Lingolingo told SPIN.ph.
READ: UE stretches streak to three after warding off luckless NU
That much has been true in the ongoing UAAP Season 87, with the sharpshooter hitting big shots and playing a key role in the red-and-white's three-game win run following a 0-2 start.
Slowly but surely, the Recto faithful is, well, also getting back its faith in its Red Warriors.
“Sobrang halaga ng UE community kasi hindi sila sumusuko sa’min. Nafi-feel namin ‘yung love, nafi-feel namin ‘yung suporta mula sa kanila," he said, as a much-welcome sea of red was on deck to witness their longest winning streak in a decade.
“Blessed kami na nandito sila’t nanonood pa rin sa mga laro namin at sobrang laking pasasalamat lang talaga sa UE community.”
All is well for Wello
In an emotional confession, the 20-year-old Red Warriors guard shared how his family only gets to visit him roughly once a year.
Hence, he’d find himself homesick and longing for an incomparable love that only his first home can give.
Still, missing his own sister’s birthday was a price he was willing to pay to make a lifelong dream come true.
“Pinaghuhugutan ko ng lakas ‘yung family ko kasi nami-miss ko sila these past few days and weeks lalo na’t nag-birthday ‘yung ate ko kahapon. Nami-miss ko lang ‘yung bonding namin,” Lingolingo said.
“Sila ‘yung nagpalaki sa’kin at sila pa rin talaga ‘yung inspiration ko. Nilalagay ko lang sa utak ko na ginagawa ko ‘to para sa kanila.”
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