UAAP: Ateneo beats UE in Wello Lingolingo’s return, ends five-game losing skid

Ateneo de Manila University spoiled the return of Wello Lingolingo and defeated the University of the East, 78-74, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The win snapped the Blue Eagles’ five-game losing skid, improving their record to 5-5, while the Red Warriors remained winless in 10 games.

UE held a 74-72 lead with 2:19 left in the fourth quarter before Ateneo mounted a late rally to secure the win.

Ian Espinosa’s free throws off a Precious Momowei foul tied the game at 74 with 1:48 remaining, before separate trips to the line by Divine Adili gave the Katipunan-based squad the lead.

Espinosa then sank two more free throws, this time off DJ Robles’ fouls, to seal the victory for Ateneo as Dylan Despi missed UE’s final attempt.

Even with the win, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin credited UE's efforts.

"The coaching staff did a great job. We knew that their top three players, Precious, Wello and John, they're just really top-tier players in this league. They did a great job in spite of the fact that we really tried to focus our defensive energies on them. They still kept them right there in the game, and they did everything but win the game in terms of competitiveness. So I think a lot of credit has got to go to a team that has struggled all year long but has never been an easy beat all year long. And again, today was the same," Baldwin said.

Kymani Ladi led the Blue Eagles with 16 points, while Adili tallied a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, along with two assists, two steals, and a block. Espinosa added 13 points, and Dom Escobar chipped in 11.

Momowei finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds, on top of four assists, two blocks, and a steal, while Lingolingo,  returning from a three-game suspension, also scored 19 points alongside five rebounds, four assists, and a block. John Abate contributed 18 points for UE.

Scores:

Ateneo 78 – Ladi 16, Adili 15, Espinosa 13, Escobar 11, Tuano 9, Espina 7, Lazaro 4, Bongo 3, Bahay 0, Lazo 0, Fjellvang 0.

UE 74 – Momowei 19, Lingolingo 19, Abate 18, Despi 8, Datumalim 6, Robles 2, Cruz-Dumont 2, Caoile 0, Lagat 0, Malaga 0.

Quarters: 18-21, 39-40, 57-64, 78-74.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News