University of the East has a huge void to fill in with the absence of star big man Precious Momowei.

But there is no doubt the Red Warriors will do everything to keep their place inside the Final Four picture against the also-ran Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Wednesday, Nov. 13.

The Red Warriors, sitting at the third spot of the standings with a 6-6 record, look to keep their inside track of the spot against fellow playoff chasing teams Adamson (5-7) and FEU (5-8) in the match scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m.

Setting up the curtain to the crucial collision is the clash between La Salle and National University in the first offering at 2 p.m.

The Red Warriors are not only looking to pick up the pieces from their tough 76-67 loss against the UST Growling Tigers last weekend but also boost their bid for the playoffs – a spot that UE hasn’t reached in 15 years or since Season 72.

UE, then led by Paul Lee and Elmer Espiritu, finished the eliminations at the fourth spot and overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage over FEU to advance to the Finals against the then powerhouse Ateneo led by Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Jai Reyes.

“Basta laging mindset namin ‘back to zero’, lagi lang kaming nag-aim ng improvement and para sa goal namin na makabalik sa Final Four,” said head coach Jack Santiago who is optimistic that UE finally has the chance of ending their playoff drought.

That would be easier said than done, however, especially that the Road Warriors will be missing the services of Momowei, who will serve his one-game suspension after already being called with two unsportsmanlike fouls in the season – the last of which happened last game when he hit Mo Tounkara with an inadvertent elbow.

Without Momowei, much of the load now falls on the shoulders of Santiago’s reliable wards in Jack Cruz-Dumont, Wello Lingolingo, Devin Fikes, Rainer Maga and John Abate although the Blue Eagles, who are looking for a strong end to their campaign, are not the one to easily fold with guys like Jared Bahay, Kris Porter and Chris Koon leading the charge.