UE’s Momowei out in pivotal game vs Ateneo due to suspension

The league announced Tuesday Momowei’s penalty after he infracted his second unsportsmanlike foul in the second quarter of UE’s 86-76 loss against the red-hot La Salle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum over the weekend.

Momowei committed his first unsportsmanlike foul last month in the Warriors’ 72-65 defeat against Adamson.

He will serve his suspension Tuesday as UE, with a 4-8 record, battles Ateneo (6-6) in a must-win match at 11 a.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena to keep its Final Four hopes alive.

The Warriors will definitely miss the services of Momowei, who’s leading the Rookie of the Year race with averages of 12. 5 points, 10. 33 rebounds, 1.17 assists, 1.25 steals and 1.83 blocks, in the crucial duel against the reigning champions.

UE held its own in the first round against Ateneo before absorbing a close 76-69 loss.

In other games, leaders University of the Philippines and National University as well as the rampaging La Salle step up their drives against separate foes in an expected mad dash to a Top-Two finish for the twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four.

All three teams are already in the semis with UP (10-2) out to bolster their bid against also-ran Santo Tomas (1-11) at 1 p.m. and National U (10-2) clashing against Adamson (5-7) at 6 p.m.

La Salle (9-3), which has yet to lose in the second round with six straight wins, want no let-up against also-ran Far Eastern University (3-9) at 4 p.m.