Wello Lingolingo had family in mind during his clutch outing for the UE Red Warriors vs. NU in UAAP Season 87.
Family became Wello Lingolingo’s source of inspiration as he came up clutch for the UE Red Warriors in their close win over the NU Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87 Saturday, September 28.
Despite struggling with NU’s defense all game long, Lingolingo hit the dagger triple with less than a minute to go to for a four-point UE lead, which ended up being more than enough as the Red Warriors won their third-straight game of the year.
[Related: Wello Lingolingo clutch as streaking UE piles on NU’s woes in UAAP Season 87]
Not only that, he also hit free throws later on to completely ice the victory. Even with immense pressure, Lingolingo calmly got his shots to fall.
The secret to his success was looking with his mind’s eye towards his family that are currently miles away from him.
“Sa ganun [iniisip] ko lang yung family ko kasi matagal na kong nalayo sa kanila so every time na ititira ko yung ganun iniisip ko na lang na kailangan i-make yung basket para sa pamilya,” said Lingolingo.
“Pamilya ang dahilan kung bakit ako pumunta dito,” he added.
Lingolingo’s family is currently in Zamboanga del Sur and it has been a while since he has seen them. But as he chases his dream in Metro Manila, the 20-year-old said that he simply wants to help his team to win.
Faced against tall odds and a Season 86 Final Four team in the NU Bulldogs, Lingolingo set his mind that he needed to make the crucial shots.
[Related: UE Red Warriors thriving with renewed community support after three-straight wins in UAAP Season 87]
Even after struggling to find his rhythm early on with NU’s defense closing in on him, Lingolingo was able to convert when it mattered the most for his team.
“Bigla na lang nag-sink in sa utak ko na I need to make that shot because it’s really an important game for us. Yun lang ang mindset pag open, tira [mo],” he said.
Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
With their recent surge, Lingolingo and the Red Warriors are now a respectable 3-2 after five games in the season.
As they chase their first Final Four appearance since 2009, Lingolingo and UE are hoping to continue their good run in Season 87.
The Red Warriors are currently 2-1 against last year’s Final Four teams, helping them build their case as a playoff contender this year.
Up next on their path are the Ateneo Blue Eagles whom they face on Wednesday, October 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.