University of the East (UE) is back in the win column of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

The Red Warriors leaned on a huge third quarter to push back National University (NU), 74-58, on Saturday, October 26, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Jack Santiago and company were coming from a La Salle loss to open the second round, seeing their five-game unbeaten run put into halt.

This was also their first game in exactly two weeks — but for Santiago, it had “positive and negative” effects on the team.

UAAP games were postponed due to Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.”

“Actually, ‘yung postponement ng games namin, merong positive and negative sides,” Santiago said during the postgame press conference.

“Negative, kasi ang tagal namin. Rusty ‘yung players namin. Positive, because the guys na medyo may mga injuries, naka-recover kami, and then we gave some minutes din sa mga guys na hindi masyado nakakapaglaro,” he went on.

Although that “rustiness” Santiago was referring to did not manifest today as they tallied the win.

Only a 28-24 separation at the half, UE went berserk to open the second half and uncorked an 8-0 run.

They went on to outscore the Bulldogs, 25-11, in the said frame, capped by a Rain Maga buzzer-beater to pull away for their sixth win.

Leading the UE side was big man Precious Momowei, who dropped a mammoth double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds, Wello Lingolingo added 14 markers and five boards, while Ethan Galang also had 12 for the offense.

Tebol Garcia and Jolo Manansala were the silver lining for NU, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively.

UE now has a 6-3 win-loss card, while NU descended to a 2-8 slate. (ABS-CBN News)