There’s a new Cabañero in town.
Andwele Cabañero may have left the Tiger Cubs, but the University of Santo Tomas has found another torchbearer of the family name in 15-year-old Rowie Cabañero.
Rowie’s decision to suit up for UST in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament goes beyond simply chasing growth in the country’s top amateur league — it’s about continuing the family legacy in España.
A distant cousin of Growling Tigers captain Nic, pool player Drei, and former Tiger Cubs standout Andwele, Rowie’s arrival offers a seamless sense of continuity for a program hungry for redemption.
For the 5-foot-5 guard from Mahaplag, Leyte — miles away from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, where the Cabañero siblings grew up — donning the UST jersey is both a tribute to his roots and a chance to carve his own name in the family’s basketball story.
“Magpupursigi lang talaga ako then kailangan ko lang ipakita ko yung tunay na ako. Yung accomplishments naman nila Andwele at Nic, hahabulin ko ‘yon basta magpursigi lang ako,” Rowie said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
And on his very first outing in the black and gold, he wasted no time showing he belongs.
Rowie turned heads in the Tiger Cubs’ commanding 114-61 win over the UPIS Fighting Maroons last Sunday, September 21, inside the Quadricentennial Pavilion. He posted 18 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals while registering a staggering plus-46 rating.
The former Lyceum of the Philippines University guard credited not only his coaches but also his cousins for instilling the confidence that fueled his strong debut.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Katulad ngayon, nagpapakita ako sa laro ko. Binuo ko yung kumpyansa ko tsaka nagpapasalamat ako kay Coach Noli (Mejos) dahil binigyan niya ako ng opportunity na maglaro sa UAAP,” he said.
“Sabi nila Andwele sa akin na kumpyansa lang and then ipakita ko lang daw totoo ko na laro,” he added.
For Mejos, Rowie’s breakout was timely.
The Tiger Cubs were left scrambling after the unexpected ineligibility of two key players — Pangasinan native Raj Sidhu and Gilas Pilipinas Boys guard Everaigne Cruz — both projected to help fill the void left by Andwele.
“Happy ako dahil nakita ko yung galing niya, especially dahil maraming nawala. Hindi talaga siya yung starting point guard ko ‘eh, ‘eh ngayon na nawala sila, mag-stepup siya and maging leader sa team, especially sa assists,” Mejos said.
“Points, given naman yan kasi alam ko kakayahan nito maka-score, simula nung kinuha ko ito alam ko na scorer talaga ito. Maging leader lang talaga siya.”
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