MANILA, Philippines — Heeding to coach Jack Santiago’s call, UE’s Wello Lingolingo stayed patient when it came to his offensive game against Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday.
The third year guard picked his spots, not forcing anything during the contest and that patience has ultimately rewarded him with the game-winning shot.
Lingolingo tracked the offensive board with a few ticks left off a Nico Mulingtapang missed shot, dribbled to his right, and pulled off a fadeaway off the glass jumper to beat the buzzer and give UE a 63-62 win.
“Coach Jack told me to not force the game to come to me and just let it come to me instead. That’s what I did and I didn’t take a forced shot,” said Lingolingo, who finished with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting with five rebounds and three steals to boot.
“When I couldn’t find my spot in the three-point area, I just found a way to contribute, especially on the defensive end. I didn’t expect the game-winning shot. I just happened to be there and I hit the shot thanks to God.”
The 6-foot-1 Lingolingo said that his game-winner was simply a case of right place, right time moment.
“That shot of mine as coach LA [Revilla] said was just a case of right place, right time. I just happened to be there, I saw the time and didn’t hesitate.”
Lingolingo’s patience didn’t just reward him with easily the greatest shot of his life, it also gave UE its fifth straight win, a run only a few expected of the Red Warriors especially after the departure of star guard Noy Remogat.
