Basketball brilliance runs deep in the Cabanero family, and University of Santo Tomas Junior High School basketball ace Andwele Cabanero proved that once again on Sunday morning at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
In the Tiger Cubs’ do-or-die game against Far Eastern University-Diliman for the final Finals spot, Andwele shone with 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals, leading UST to a 67-61 victory.
His performance not only secured the win but also gave Andwele a unique achievement that his older brother, Nic, was unable to accomplish during his time with UST: a trip to the championship round of a UAAP 5-on-5 basketball tournament.
Having witnessed Nic’s early exit from the Final Four with a loss to the University of the Philippines on November 30, the 14-year-old, 5-foot-10 guard used that disappointment as extra motivation. He helped dismantle FEU-D’s twice-to-beat advantage, showing the entire UAAP community that a winning mentality runs deep in the Cabanero family.
“Nung nanood kasi ako sa [laban nila] against UP, parang sobrang sakit nung talo nila ‘eh. Nilagay ko sa mindset ko na dapat kami rin, makapasok sa Finals para sa mga kuya namin, pero especially para sa kuya ko,” the younger Cebuano native shared.
“Proud siya sa akin kasi nakapunta na ako sa Finals and yung tiwala at guidance niya sa akin, nakita niya na hindi nasayang, lalo na ngayon na nakapasok na ako ng Finals,” he continued.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Nic, seeing his younger brother’s success at such an early age in the UAAP fills him with immense pride—something he struggled to achieve during his first three years with the Growling Tigers. Despite early challenges, Nic eventually helped steer UST to its first Final Four appearance in five years.
This milestone further cemented the Cabanero family’s legacy in UAAP and UST basketball history, with both Andwele and Nic being named to the Mythical Five teams of their respective divisions.
“Super proud ako as an elder brother sa kanya. I think nakikita ko talaga yung potential even though na we’re still young, nakita ko na talaga na mas better siya sa akin,” the elder Cabanero told Tiebreaker Times.
Now in his offseason, Nic has vowed to support Andwele every step of the way as the Tiger Cubs prepare for a best-of-three finals series against the dominant University of the East Junior Warriors.
“I think one thing na maadvice ko sa kanya is just let the game come to him. Just do your best and of course, pray, feel the moment na nauna siya sa akin sa Finals so mas malaking experience sa kanya ‘yon. Just play your game, do your best, and listen to their coaches and be there for his teammates,” he concluded.
