University of the East (UE) finally snatched one against Ateneo de Manila University after almost nine years.

The Red Warriors, led by Precious Momowei, rallied past the Blue Eagles, 69-62, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, October 2, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, also snapping a 14-game losing skid against the Tab Baldwin-coached squad across several seasons.

The last time UE won against Ateneo was during Round 2 of Season 78, 74-69, on November 14, 2015.

The triumph also marked a four-game unbeaten run for the Red Warriors after falling in their first two outings.

Baldwin and his cogs looked like they were taking the game as they entered the payoff period with a 45-37 lead, but a late run from the Red Warriors showed the way for coach Jack Santiago and company, as Rain Maga sank the triple which gave the UE the lead, 57-54, at the 3:03 mark.

Devin Fikes followed it through with a trey of his own, and then Momowei’s basket off a strong drive to the hoop allowed UE to take a 62-54 separation to pull away for good.

“I’m so happy with the boys’ performance. They stepped up and accepted my challenge to them,” Santiago told ABS-CBN News.

“Ang pep talk ko nga sa mga players, we need to bounce back [against] Ateneo because tama nga ‘yung sinasabi niyo, it’s a long time na when the last time ma-beat ng school ‘yung Ateneo,” Santiago added.

Momowei topped up a game-high 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Wello Lingolingo had 13 markers in a relatively low-scoring ballgame.

Joshua Lazaro and Shawn Tuano had 14 points each to pace the sliding Ateneo side, now holding a 1-5 win-loss record. (ABS-CBN News)