We Believe: Why the UE Red Warriors are the UAAP’s best story

Photo source: Vyn Radovan, UAAP Media Team

As his players gathered themselves and prepared to leave the locker room, UE head coach Jack Santiago paused, glancing at each of them before issuing a simple command: “Look.”

He gestured towards the rabid crowd just outside of the tunnel, beyond which the University of the East faithful had packed the MOA Arena, their cheers echoing even through the concrete walls.

These were fans who had sacrificed their Sunday afternoons and hard-earned money, who believed – despite a challenging first half – that the Red Warriors could continue their winning ways. In that moment, Santiago wasn’t just rallying his players to win a game. He was asking them to believe in themselves, to tap into the potential that could conquer anyone, no matter the adversary.

UE stormed back onto the court like a team with something bigger to fight for – something beyond individual stats or personal glory. They played for each other, for the brotherhood they had built, and for the loyal community that had never wavered in its support. Every defensive stop, every pass, and every shot felt like a tribute to the crowd willing them forward. And as the game hung in the balance with the final seconds melting away, it was the UAAP’s most underrated star on the rise who seized the moment on a Sunday. With defenders over him, Wello Lingolingo launched one of the most improbable shots  you’ll ever witness on a basketball court. It kissed the glass, and their community erupted in celebration—a moment of pure jubilation for a team that had just fought with everything they had.

UE’s current five-game winning streak is quickly becoming the UAAP’s best story. There’s something special brewing with the Red Warriors, something electric in the way they’re playing and the way they’ve reignited a community that’s been starved for a Final Four appearance for 15 long years. Not since the days of Roi Sumang have the Red Warriors looked this formidable, and not since the era of Paul Lee have they played with such captivating flair.

“Dati kapag bumibili ako ng tickets, ang daming available eh. Ngayon, sold out na lahat. So, what does it mean? Nando’n ‘yung suporta ng UE community. That’s why I was so emotional kanina, nung we won. Kasi nung lumabas sa dug out sinabi ko na sa mga players, ‘Look at the crowd! Look at the supporters! Let’s give the W to them!’ Nagrespond naman ‘yung mga bata. When Wello made the shot, very emotional ako kasi at least sa ganitong ano, nabigyan namin ng kasiyahan sa community,” Jack Santiago said in an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR Magazine.

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After starting the UAAP season 0-2 and looking like a team destined for another disappointing finish, UE has completely rewritten its story. They’ve turned the page in dramatic fashion, including being the only squad to hand defending champion De La Salle University – their next opponent – a loss. What’s remarkable about these wins isn’t just the victories themselves, but how they’ve been achieved. In late game situations, different players have stepped up to play the role of hero: Precious Momowei, John Abate, Ethan Galang, and Lingolingo. None of these student-athletes were empowered by the big schools. Abate was already training at DLSU but didn’t make the cut. Momowei, once in Ateneo, couldn’t find his place. Santiago was the only one willing to take a chance on Lingolingo and Galang. Were they outcasts? No. But now they’re the ones beating the big programs, proving that talent and heart aren’t always found in the most expected places.

“Ang kagandahan sa mga batang ‘to, ayaw magpatalo. Minsan kakain lang kami sa mga simpleng kainan, unlike doon sa ibang mga schools ‘di ba, pero dito masaya na sila sa gano’n eh,” Santiago shared.

“Minsan nga, to be honest, every morning kapag magwawatch kami ng mga video, hot pandesal nga ang kinakain namin eh. Hot pandesal tsaka peanut butter habang nanonood kami ng mga videos. Masaya na ‘yung mga bata, masaya na ‘yung team kapag may mga konting gatherings na gan’yan. ‘Di kami ‘yung kagaya nung ibang ano na talagang… Well, I think blessed ako kasi ‘yung mga players ko ayaw magpatalo, so I’m so happy lang with the boys.”

These up-and-coming UE players – you can add Jack Cruz-Dumont, Gjerard Wilson, Rainer Maga, Nico Mulingtapang, and Devin Fikes to the list – are taking on roles and responsibilities far greater than anyone initially expected. They’ve been thrust into the spotlight and have responded with a hunger that speaks to something deeper. Over the past few years, UE has seen talented young studs blossom, only to leave the program: Rey Remogat, Clint Escamis, Kyle Paranada, Gani Stevens, Harvey Pagsanjan—the list goes on. Each player had their own reasons for leaving, but their departures left an unsettling question in the minds of their former teammates.

Are we not good enough for them to believe they can succeed here?

Whether it’s direct motivation or not, that lingering doubt has sparked a fire in the current Red Warriors, fueling their relentless play. They’re not just competing – they’re proving that UE is a place where you can succeed, where loyalty and belief are met with results.

“Well, meron kasi akong mga naririnig before, nung may mga umalis na mga players na, for them, ang feeling nila, iniwan sila sa ere,” Santiago provided insight.

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“Maganda kasi ang samahan ng mga batang ‘yan, and siguro ang feeling nila, ‘Bakit niyo kami iniwan? Ang ganda ganda ng team natin.’ Sabi ko nga, very confident ako with this team, kasi I would say ako na lahat nagrecruit nito eh. Ito na lahat ng players na kinuha ko. Wala na dito, gumraduate na lahat nung iba na mga inabutan ko. This batch, this team, talagang ako pumili nito. Kaya ‘yung kumpyansa ko dito, sobra sobra.”

Santiago hasn’t been immune to criticism. From the beginning of his tenure, there have been doubters – voices questioning his methods, his leadership, and even his ability to turn the Red Warriors into contenders. Rumors have swirled that his tough and preferential treatment of players are reasons why some recruits have left the program. But for every rumor, there’s a player like former UE standout and current PBA player Luis Villegas, who vouches for Santiago’s unwavering dedication to winning. Santiago isn’t deaf to the criticism. He sees it, hears it, but refuses to let it dictate how he coaches. His focus remains the same: pushing his team to be their best, regardless of the noise surrounding him.

“Alam mo, this is our job, ‘no. Alam mo naman marami naman tayong pinanggalingan na syempre kung hindi ka talaga nakapagdeliver, marami talagang ganyan diyan. Honestly, nung marami akong setback na gan’yan, iniignore ko ‘yung social media. Ako kasi, basta trabaho lang. Talagang gano’n, normal ‘yung iccriticize ka. At the end of the day, ang goal ko is to help the school and mga players. I don’t care kung ano sasabihin ng mga tao. Now that we’re winning, masaya sila, sana lang continue nalang nila ‘yung pagsuporta sa team,” Santiago said.

As the Red Warriors march forward to the second round, there’s a feeling that this season could be different.

What started as doubt and uncertainty has transformed into belief and momentum. Jack Santiago and his team are no longer just trying to prove they belong with the big boys – they’re showing they can win.

For the first time in years, UE isn’t just fighting to stay relevant. They’re fighting to make history, to reignite a proud community that’s waited too long for this moment.