Three more graduating UAAP stars have found new homes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Nic Cabanero is joining Biñan Tatak Gel, while their southern rivals Quezon snapped up Ced Manzano and John Abate.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Cabanero, a 6-foot-2 Cebuano guard, drew interest from multiple MPBL teams, but ultimately, the chance to reunite with San Beda deputy Boyet Fernandez was the deciding factor.
The two-time UAAP Elite Team member averaged 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in his final year with the University of Santo Tomas.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Manzano, a member of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medal-winning Gilas squad, is a 6-foot-5 bruiser from Cajidiocan, Romblon.
In his final year with Adamson, he averaged 11.71 points, 7.14 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.21 steals per game.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Abate, on the other hand, posted 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals over 10 games for the University of the East in UAAP Season 88.
Quezon and Biñan met in last season’s Southern Division Finals, with the Huskers winning the series in five games.
Also joining the MPBL are UP’s Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Reyland Torres, and Terrence Fortea, all of whom signed with San Juan-Go for Gold.
National University’s Jake Figueroa, meanwhile, took his talents abroad, signing with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in South Korea.
Other free agents include La Salle’s Mike Phillips and the Ateneo trio of Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jayden Lazo.
