Limited by a right shoulder injury, Chack Cabinbin powered through the pain and delivered in the clutch to lift Pilipinas Aguilas past University of Santo Tomas in a thrilling double-overtime showdown in Game 1 of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals.
Cabinbin rose to the occasion in the second overtime, helping the Aguilas pull off a hard-earned 95-86 win over the Growling Tigresses last Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The former Gilas Women standout nailed a crucial three-pointer early in the second extra period to put her team ahead, 86-84, before adding a bucket during a 9-0 finishing run that sealed the opening win for Pilipinas Aguilas.
“Nakikita ko ‘yung mga kasama ko, grabe talaga ‘yung boost ng energy sa’kin kasi medyo down ako dahil sa injury ko talaga,” said Cabinbin, who was held to just five points through regulation and the first overtime.
“Pero hindi ko na lang iniisip ‘yun, kumbaga gusto namin ‘tong matapos na makuha namin. Kasi dun namin makukuha ‘yung kumpyansa namin up to Game 2,” she added.
(C) WMPBL
Despite her injury, Cabinbin managed to log 33 minutes on the court, finishing with 10 points, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals. She had sustained the shoulder injury during their semifinal win over Discovery Perlas last Sunday.
The SEA Games gold medalist admitted that their game against UST was a test of willpower — a battle that required pure heart, which is why she chose to fight through the pain for her team.
It wasn’t an easy feat, but her determination to give everything she had on the floor pushed her to deliver when it mattered most.
“Grabe, hindi ko ine-expect ‘yung ganun. Napakagandang game rin ‘yung binigay din ng UST, ‘di rin sila sumuko. Sobrang match ‘yung game. Puso talaga eh, puso talaga ‘yung labanan,” said Cabinbin.
Still, she knows the job is far from over.
Cabinbin emphasized the importance of staying locked in and maintaining the same level of intensity as they look to close out the series on Sunday.
“Siguro medyo ‘yung ginawa namin sa Discovery, kung ano ‘yung ginawa namin doon, ganun ‘yung ginawa ng UST sa’min eh. Mas kokontrolin pa namin ‘yung game and ‘yun, usap lang talaga. Communicate.”
