ETHAN Galang showcased his three-point shooting prowess in the final moments as University of the East sent Far Eastern University to another fourth quarter meltdown, winning 56-51, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday.
The Tamaraws, coming off a massive fourth-quarter collapse against the National University Bulldogs last Saturday, endured a six-minute scoring drought after Miguel Ona’s and-one play gave them a 10-point lead, 42-32, with 2:21 left in the third quarter.
During this dry spell, Gjerard Wilson, Wello Lingolingo, and Rainier Maga capitalized by scoring 13 unanswered points to give the Red Warriors a 45-42 advantage with 6:14 remaining in the final frame.
Down by four with less than two minutes to go, Precious Momowei split his free throws before Ethan Galang hit a crucial three-pointer from the left elbow to tie the game at 51 with 1:16 left.
After the Tamaraws missed their opportunity on the other end, the Red Warriors turned to Galang once more. He maneuvered to the same spot and sank another three-pointer, giving UE a 54-51 lead with 25 seconds remaining.
FEU missed three consecutive attempts: Alforque was blocked by Momowei, and Jorick Bautista missed two three-pointers.
Galang then sealed the game with two free throws, finishing with 10 points, including the final eight crucial points that secured UE’s first win, improving their record to 1-2 and placing them at sixth in the standings.
“The boys responded very well. It’s so hard to play with a 0-2 record but I just gave some instructions to the boys to just stick together. Whatever happened, stick to the game plan. I’m happy that even though we’re down, nandoon pa rin kami sa game plan namin,” said Red Warriors head coach Jack Santiago.
“I know I was off pretty much the whole game but in that last minute, it’s just keep shooting, keep my head up, whatever happened in the past can stay in the past, just keep shooting,” shared Galang, who shot 3-of-10 from the field but made the crucial baskets.
Wilson also contributed 10 points, all scored during the second half, while Maga added nine points.
Nigerian center Momowei finished with seven points and 12 rebounds despite struggling from the field (2-of-7) and the free-throw line (3-of-10).
UE will aim for a second consecutive win on Sunday against the defending champion De La Salle University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 6:30 p.m.
Bautista led FEU with 16 points, though only four came in the second half, as the Tamaraws fell to 0-3, joining Ateneo de Manila University at the bottom of the standings.
Rookie Veejay Pre added 13 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while 18-year-old Gambian big man Mo Konateh collected six points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks in the defeat.
The Tamaraws played without athletic wingman Cholo Anonuevo due to a hamstring injury. His availability remains on a day-to-day basis. FEU will continue its search for its first win on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. against the University of the Philippines.
The Scores:
UE 56 – Wilson 10, Galang 10, Maga 9, Momowei 7, Lingolingo 7, Cruz-Dumont 4, Abate 4, Mulingtapang 3, Fikes 2, Robles 0, Jimenez 0, Spandonis 0.
FEU 51 – Bautista 16, Pre 13, Konateh 6, Alforque 5, Bagunu 5, Pasaol 3, Ona 3, Montemayor 0, Nakai 0, Daa 0, Jones 0, Duque 0.
Quarterscores: 9-14, 25-32, 38-42, 56-51.
