The UE Red Warriors are hoping for an injury-free UAAP Season 87 as they eye their first Final Four appearance since 2009.
It’s been 15 years since the University of the East made a Final Four appearance in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament—the longest drought among other competing teams.
The Red Warriors showed promise in Season 86, but injuries affected their campaign as they finished in 6th place.
But with a retooled lineup and key players back in full health, UE might just have the pieces to reach their goal of making it to the Final Four.
Head coach: Jack Santiago
Team captains: Jack Cruz Dumont, Wello Lingolingo
Returning from injury: Devin Fikes, Gjerard Wilson
Key additions: Nico Mulingtapang, Hunter Cruz-Dumont
Key losses: Rey Remogat, Abdul Sawat
Season 86 record: 4-10 (6th)
Despite Remogat's shock exit, the Red Warriors added several noteworthy point guards to the fray, including Hunter Cruz-Dumont, Jack's younger brother, and Nico Mulingtapang.
But the more crucial storyline for UE is the return of Devin Fikes and Gjerard Wilson following their injuries during Season 86.
Wilson's rookie year ended after five games as the 6-foot-1 guard suffered a dislocated shoulder. Fikes followed suit just a few games later after being dealt with an ACL injury.
While it took a toll on him mentally, the Fil-Canadian forward is grateful to find his love for basketball once more.
“It's definitely mentally challenging because, obviously, an ACL tear, a full tear, is hard to recover from, even at higher levels,” Fikes told One Sports.
“I went through a lot like I didn't know if I wanted to continue playing basketball at the start but the people around me that cared for me and loved me obviously helped me mentally. Going back home was a lot of help for me to get back and come back here and do what I want to do,” he added.
Eager to prove his skills on the court once more, Wilson is also relishing the opportunity to back for the Jack Santiago-led Red Warriors.
“How I balance [my excitement] is just treat it like it how it was before I even got hurt,” said Wilson.
“I took a pretty serious injury on my shoulder, and it's my first time being injured, so this is a new challenge for me, but I'm very excited to come back, and I feel like we didn't have our full potential last year,” he added.
Of course, expected to lead the charge for UE is none other than sophomore foreign student-athlete (FSA) Precious Momowei.
The Nigerian big man nearly claimed the Season 86 Rookie of the Year award if it weren’t for two unsportsmanlike fouls and a one-game suspension.
With a healthy roster alongside him, Momowei is ready to lead the Red Warriors to its first Final Four appearance since Season 72.
“Last season was so heartbreaking for us. We lost so many players due to injuries and stuff, so hopefully, this year, Final Four. They are back and healthy, so I'm super excited. The future is bright,” said Momowei.
From Robert Jaworski to James Yap to Paul Lee to Alvin Pasaol, another UE legend is expected to come—and what’s to say that it won’t come from this bunch of hungry Red Warriors?
[NEXT: School Spirit: UE starting five among active players in PBA]