UE Red Warriors’ Precious Momowei reacts after an incident during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against the UST Growling TIgers. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—University of the East will be appealing for Precious Momowei’s looming one-game suspension in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

With 5:13 left to play, Momowei inadvertently hit University of Santo Tomas’ Gelo Crisostomo after a layup attempt which caused the latter to lay bloodied on the floor.

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READ: UAAP: UST scores crucial win over UE, boosts Final Four bid

“I was going for a layup. Honestly, I thought it was an and-one then I think I must’ve dropped my elbow. I didn’t know where he was. [It was] unintentional,” explained Momowei.

“We will be making an appeal. I hope they accept the appeal because it [hit] was unintentional… I went into the [UST] locker room. I tried my best to apologize.”

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Momowei was granted his second unsportsmanlike foul of the game, which automatically merited an ejection from the game.

READ: UAAP: UE’s Precious Momowei sounds off after 2nd straight loss

UST won, 76-67.

In this case, Momowei will not only sit out UE’s all-important game against Ateneo, but he will also bow out of the MVP race due to ejection.

That is if the appeal wouldn’t be accepted by the UAAP.

“The school will write a letter regarding Momowei but of course, we won’t know the final decision yet until then,” said coach Jack Santiago.

“We’re not really new to this situation. Last year, we also faced Ateneo without an import and the good thing we saw earlier was we saw other players step up.”

Momowei exited the game against UST with six points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of action.

The Red Warriors will be awaiting the UAAP’s verdict on Momowei before their game against the Blue Eagles on Saturday, next week, at San Juan Arena.