By: Miguel Caramoan
It was just last year when Andwele Cabanero suited up for University of Santo Tomas, facing Andrew Estrella’s University of the East in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Finals.
A year later, the two are now on the same team, with Estrella coaching Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Cabanero transferring to the Squires.
Admittedly, Cabanero knows the NCAA is a whole different challenge compared to the UAAP.
“Iba yung UAAP at NCAA. Masasabi ko lang sa NC, more physical dito,” said Cabanero.
“I’ll work around it and keep going lang sa next game.”
In his first outing with the Squires, Cabanero — a former mythical team member in the UAAP’s 16-and-under boys’ division — played only nine minutes before fouling out late in the game.
Fortunately, the Squires dominated the JRU Light Bombers, securing a 62-52 win.
“Ngayon, medyo nag-aadapt pa ko sa role ko dito. Hindi palaging angat ka e,” the Cebuano guard said.
Unlike the UAAP, Cabanero, who is just 16 years old, is now going up against players as old as 19 in the NCAA.
But his experience with Gilas Boys during the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup prepared him well, he said.
“Madami ako natutunan dun kasi ang daming mga prospect na nakasama ko at natuto din ako sa kanila. Na-apply ko yung depensa na natutunan ko sa Gilas dito. Nandun na yung defense ko, pero need ko pa mag-adjust sa offense ko,” he shared.
Throughout this transition, he is grateful to have Estrella as his mentor.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi paglipat ko dito, parang alam ko na madami akong matutunan sa kanila. Thankful din ako na napunta ako kay Coach Andrew,” said Cabanero, adding that he is also thankful to Frank Lao and Strong Group for the opportunity.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang kami sa pagpanalo at stay locked in lang kami.”
