Coach Jack Santiago's timely reminder to the UE Red Warriors paid off with Wello Lingolingo's rebound and buzzer-beating shot against the Adamson Soaring Falcons in UAAP Season 87.
Wello Lingolingo came to save the day once more for the UE Red Warriors.
Down by one against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, Lingolingo managed to rebound the ball after rookie Nico Mulingtapang’s jumper hit the front end of the rim.
The hotshot guard then avoided Joshua Yerro’s block attempt and hit the buzzer-beating shot for the win that sent the UE community into a frenzy.
[ALSO READ: Wello Lingolingo sinks buzzer-beater as UE escapes Adamson for 5th-straight win]
Though the shot might have been from a second possession, coach Jack Santiago’s reminder to the team before the final possession proved to be crucial indeed.
“Ang number one instruction ko, first option namin is to give the ball to Precious [Momowei], but we have options also,” Santiago told reporters after the win. “Ayun nga nag-ball screen kami at ang sinabi ko nung [last timeout ko] pag tira namin kailangan mag-crash ng boards kami lahat kasi anything can happen.”
“So, nangyari nga missed shot ni Nico, but si Wello came behind and got the offensive rebound,” he added.
Santiago pointed out that Lingolingo’s shot was not something he wasn’t used to taking.
“To be honest, pina-practice ni Wello ‘yan eh, ‘yung mga tira niyang ganyan. Hindi nga lang sa harap ko kasi alam niyang magagalit ako sa kanya,” Santiago laughingly said.
“Binigyan ko sila ng go signal, you grab the ball and we attack,” he added.
[ALSO READ: ‘Just keep shooting’: Ethan Galang repays coach Jack Santiago's trust with clutch treys in UE’s first win]
The veteran tactician also credited Mulingtapang with having the confidence to take the initial shot, even amid the pressure riding on UE’s four-game winning streak.
“I give credit also to Nico kasi kahit na rookie, being a rookie, pero ang lakas ng loob niya,” said Santiago.
“Just imagine, talaga inako niya na akin ito coach. I’m gonna shoot the ball whether manalo o matalo. To be honest, ‘yun ang hinahanap ko, ‘yung big heart na ganun,” he explained.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Jack Santiago glad to see bench players fill gap as UE bucks injury in Ateneo win]
With a 5-2 record to end the first round, Santiago is hoping that his Red Warriors squad can continue to their momentum as they look to secure their spot within the top 4 at the end of the season.
“Back to zero kami. Maybe tonight and tomorrow we’ll be off, and then Tuesday we’ll be back to reality again, magtatrabaho ulit kami,” said Santiago.