October 04, 2024

UAAP: Precious Momowei 'ready to play 100 minutes' for UE to reach Final Four in Season 87

UAAP: Precious Momowei
Precious Momowei goes up for a shot during the UE Red Warriors' furious comeback win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 87. | Photo: UAAP

Precious Momowei was simply a man on a mission.

The Nigerian big man played every single minute for the UE Red Warriors during their 69-62 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 87.

The Ateneo bigs could not stop Momowei as he finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block to lead UE to its fourth straight win.

When asked about playing all 40 minutes, Momowei simply took it upon himself to accept whatever challenge coach Jack Santiago asked of him.

“This is my job. This is what I do for a living, so I am ready to play 100 minutes, 40 minutes,” Momowei said during the post-game press conference.

“I'm just ready to die out there. This is what I signed up for, so yeah, I'm ready for the challenge, whatever it takes,” he added.

[ALSO READ: UE Red Warriors strengthen Final Four hopes as wins slowly pile up in Season 87]

But playing the entire match was not much of a surprise for Santiago, who lauded Momowei for being in top shape.

"To me as a coach, I know he [Precious] can play for 40 minutes, the thing lang with the previous games namin nafa-foul trouble lang siya,” Santiago explained.

“And if you notice, nag-change kami ng defense from man to zone, so meaning hindi siya masyadong napapagod kasi nandun lang kami sa isang area, so ‘yun ‘yung game lang talaga namin,” he added.

With Ethan Galang out during the match due to a knee injury, Momowei had to do a little bit of everything on the court. Luckily, the 6-foot-9 center had some help from Wello Lingolingo and Rainer Maga, who came in clutch in the fourth quarter.

“We had a good win, but I feel like the end of the day, this is a team sport. We are all like one big family,” said Momowei. 

“Ethan was injured, so everyone out tonight stepped up. I feel like that's what we did tonight. I'm just happy that we got the win at the end of the day,” he added.

[ALSO READ: UAAP: Jack Santiago glad to see bench players fill gap as UE bucks injury in Ateneo win]

With a 4-2 record for solo third in the standings, Momowei and the rest of the Red Warriors will look to close out the first round with another win as they battle the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Sunday, October 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

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