By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the East showed no signs of rust as it demolished National University, 74-58, for a bounce back win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Saturday, Oct. 26, at Mall of Asia Arena.
In spite of a low-scoring game, the Red Warriors found ways on the offensive end especially in the second half where they built a 69-46 lead engineered by Precious Momowei, Ethan Galang and Wello Lingolingo.
With its win, UE boosted its Final Four bid and improved its record to 6-3 for third place, while NU was pushed even further with a 2-8 card.
The Recto-based squad also completed its sweep against NU this season after beating them, 57-51, last Sept. 28.
Momowei starred for UE off another double-double performance of 17 points and 17 rebounds while Galang and Lingolingo backstopped him with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Emerging as a hero for NU was rookie Tebol Garcia who registered 12 points while veterans Jolo Manansala and Jake Figueroa added 11 and 9.
The Red Warriors took over in the opening minutes despite some resistance by the Bulldogs in the second period where they only trailed 23-21.
UE then shifted its offense to a higher gear in the second half with Momowei, Galang and Lingolingo putting the effort on offense.
Earlier in women’s basketball, NU continued its dominant run as it notched its ninth straight win via a 103-48 annihilation of UE (1-8).
Camille Clarin led the balanced attack of the Lady Bulldogs as she tallied 16 points along with her five teammates who also finished with double-digit scoring to remain atop and stay as the only perfect team in the distaff side. Jearzy Ganade chipped in 17 points in a losing cause for UE.
In other games, Ateneo (5-5) ended its three-game losing skid after beating rival La Salle (2-8) to keep its playoff contention.
Men’s basketball
The scores:
UE (74) – Momowei 17, Lingolingo 14, Galang 12, Maga 9, Abate 6, J. Cruz-Dumont 5, Fikes 3, Mulingtapang 2, Wilson 2, Robles 2, Spandonis 2, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Malaga 0, Finney 0, Go 0, Jimenez 0.
NU (58) – Garcia 12, Manansala 11, Figueroa 9, Enriquez 7, Palacielo 7, Parks 3, Lim 3, Tulabut 3, Perciano 2, Santiago 1, Padrones 0, Jumamoy 0, Dela Cruz 0, Francisco 0.
Quarterscores: 13-6, 28-24, 53-35, 74-58
