Abate, Lingolingo tow UE to roller-coaster stunner of UAAP champion La Salle

MANILA, Philippines – After a winless start to the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, underdog UE now holds a two-game winning streak within five days’ time after slaying defending champion La Salle in a 75-71 stunner at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, September 22.

With the huge upset in the bag, the Red Warriors are now 2-2 for the season after outstanding performances from John Abate and Wello Lingolingo, who led the charge with team-high scoring outputs of 20 and 18 points, respectively.

In a game to remember, Abate was near-perfect from the field with a 6-of-7 clip and 3-of-3 from three, including the game-sealing free throws with 4.4 seconds left, while Lingolingo — a known sniper since Season 86 — fired a 6-of-10 salvo from deep, including 3-of-3 in the initial 28-11 first-quarter pullaway.

“I will give credit to the boys because during our practice, I saw the intensity already,” said UE head coach Jack Santiago. “I just told them that we need to have a good start and as much as possible, we keep the game close. Again, the boys responded very well.”

In contrast, it was a game to forget for reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, who still led La Salle with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, but threw it all away after blowing two straight free throws that would have tied the contest with 5.1 ticks left, 71-73.

All game long, the Archers had their chances, as they successfully got within striking distance multiple times, including inching within two, 40-42, early in the third quarter.

UE, however, just had every answer on the other end, eventually pulling away anew with a 73-64 gap with 1:55 to play before La Salle somehow cobbled together a 7-0 desperation rally, capped with a Quiambao circus fling with 28.4 seconds left to again get within one possession, 71-73.

Michael Phillips backstopped Quiambao once again with a stellar line of 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks as the Archers fell to a 3-1 slate, leaving 4-0 UP a full game ahead in solo first place.

The Scores

UE 75 – Abate 20, Lingolingo 18, Wilson 10, Galang 7, Maga 7, J. Cruz-Dumont 5, Momowei 5, Fikes 3, Jimenez 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0.

La Salle 71 – Quiambao 17, Phillips 16, Marasigan 10, Aguanne 8, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Gonzales 3, David 2, Dungo 2, Abadam 2, Ramiro 0.

Quarters: 28-11, 42-38, 56-50, 75-71.

– Rappler.com