More than putting up big numbers for UE, Precious Momowei acts as a vocal leader within the Red Warriors’ locker room as they continue their hunt for a Final Four berth.
UE’s Precious Momowei continues to be a dominant force in his second year as the Red Warriors’ foreign student athlete, averaging 13.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 1.11 blocks in their push to secure a long-awaited Final Four berth.
But more than putting up the big numbers, Momowei is just as precious in leading these Red Warriors. In fact, accountability starts with him as they continue to re-establish a winning culture within Recto.
“Honestly, I’m so grateful to Precious,” head coach Jack Santiago said after UE’s 74-58 win against NU over the weekend. “Not only in actual game but even in practice, talagang siya ‘yung nagcacall ng attention sa mga players niya, sa mga teammates niya na he thinks hindi nagpeperform or alam mo naman ngayon, may mga players tayo na medyo tamad din.
“So ako, very happy ako that Precious is doing his job talking to those players.”
Santiago’s comments follow a tense incident involving Momowei and teammate John Abate against the Bulldogs. At the 3:22 mark of the second quarter, the Nigerian was seen confronting the Fil-Am guard, gesturing at him to get his head in the game following a turnover.
Santiago believes this moment fired up the rest of the Warriors, who proceeded to outscore the Bulldogs 25-11 in the third quarter. Momowei ended up with 17 points, 17 rebounds, and a block against NU, while Abate went on to finish with six points built on two triples along with five rebounds.
Wello Lingolingo also rediscovered his form late with 14 points, while Ethan Galang knocked down four triples to finish with 12 points and four rebounds.
“‘Yung nangyari kanina, maybe it’s a wake-up call to us na kailangan magtrabaho. Even mga NBA teams, nagkakaroon din ng ganyan, but at the end, nagbenefit pa rin ‘yung team. Medyo pangit tignan because we are on national television, but down the stretch it helps the team. You saw the changes naman happen nung second half. Talagang everybody wants to play,” said the head coach.
Both parties also downplayed the incident. Momowei believes that it was “nothing serious”, and it was a matter of getting Abate’s head into the game. The Nigerian even assisted on an Abate triple at the 8:06 mark of the third quarter that gave the Red Warriors a 36-24 advantage.
“I was trying to make him focus on the game. It’s all love, nothing serious,” the big man said.
Abate also viewed the moment in a positive light, seeing it as a byproduct of two “competitive and intense” people with a burning desire to win. In fact, he cherishes this type of leadership knowing that it will bring out the best in him and Momowei.
After all, nothing but the best will be expected from UE as they get closer to booking their first playoff berth since 2009.
“I love it! Because if you have someone that’s holding you [Precious Momowei] accountable, it’s iron sharpens iron. You know? I make you better, I’ll make him better,” said Abate.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.