UE’s Wello Lingolingo is looking up to Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson as he hopes to bring the Red Warriors to their first UAAP Final Four appearance since 2009.
Armed with a 6-4 record, the Red Warriors already have one foot in the semifinals. But with four more games against fellow contenders to go, Lingolingo wants to emulate a player with tons of experience in high-stakes games.
A shooting guard himself, Lingolingo said that he patterns his game with the 4-time NBA champion — particularly his patented catch-and-shoot style of play.
“Siguro si Klay Thompson [yung NBA player na nilo-look up to ko]. Medyo same kami ng playing style, catch and shoot threes. Minsan din nagd-drive [to the basket],” said Lingolingo, who has torched UE’s foes from the three-point line all season.
But just like the 34-year-old, Lingolingo is on a team where he isn’t the only superstar. Paired with the likes of Precious Momowei, Ethan Galang, and John Abate in UE, there’s a lot of offensive firepower to go around.
Rather than trying to find his own game, Lingolingo learns from Thompson’s style of trying to complement his teammates with how he plays.
Not thinking about forcing the issue, Lingolingo lets the game find him instead.
When he can’t find his mark in scoring, he makes sure to contribute in other ways as well.
“More on nag-focus ako sa defense eh. So, nung sobrang alat siguro malamig, di nash-shoot yung tira ko sa naghahanap talaga ako ng ibang way which is defense. Inuna ko talaga yun, kasi gusto ko makatulong sa team. Gusto namin manalo,” he said.
“So, gumagawa ako ng mga bagay na makakatulong sa team, makatulong samin para manalo. Yun nga lagi sinasabi ni coach [Jack Santiago] sakin na di hahanapin yung laro, hahayaan na yung laro na pumunta sayo,” he added.
Other than believing in himself, Lingolingo expressed his confidence in his team — the Red Warriors, and of course, Thompson’s Mavericks.
After a Finals appearance last season, he believes that Thompson can make the difference for Dallas.
“Malaki yung chance nila this season. Marami silang bagong player. Si Kyrie [Irving], and Luka [Doncic], andoon din.” he said.
But with a long way to go in the NBA season, Lingolingo will have the chance to focus on their own playoff bid.
UE resumes their campaign against the FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
