University of Santo Tomas’ success in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament is heavily reliant on the brilliance of the 1-2 punch, Jhon Canapi and Andwele Cabanero.
However, the steady playmaking and leadership of Dustin Bathan often get overlooked in favor of the offensive firepower that Canapi and Cabanero bring to the Tiger Cubs.
Bathan, who averaged 12.57 points, 5.93 rebounds, 5.21 assists, and 1.25 steals, has proven that his stellar play completes UST’s ‘Big 3,’ which led the Tiger Cubs to a third-place finish with a 10-4 record at the end of the eliminations.
As the former San Beda University stalwart peaks at the right time heading into UST’s Final Four bout against second-seeded Far Eastern University-Diliman, Bathan shared that the continued trust from Canapi, Cabanero, and his coaches would be vital to the Tiger Cubs’ championship aspirations.
“Itong dalawa na ito, hindi kami mananalo kung hindi dahil sa dalawang ito at sa mga tiwala ng teammates namin. Yung mindset namin, every game is a crucial game for us and ginagawa ko lang part ko to complete the big three that we have,” the 15-year-old guard shared.
“Yung mindset namin ngayon, hindi lang kaming tatlo kundi lahat kami sa team, ay hindi pa kami kuntento. Mas gugustuhin namin na magchampion kami kaysa na Final Four contender lang,” he continued.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST head coach Noli Mejos is glad to have a steady leader and contributor like Bathan on his team, who steps up in crucial moments when Canapi and Cabanero are struggling.
But in the final game of the season, Mejos’ entrusted trio went supernova against Ateneo de Manila University, leading the Tiger Cubs to a 105-71 win on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Canapi led the charge with 30 points on 12-of-25 shooting, while Cabanero posted the season’s third triple-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Bathan chipped in 21 points, six assists, five rebounds, and one steal.
“Isa kasi siya sa nagccontrol sa amin. Kapag nagkatrouble [sila Jhon Canapi at Andwele Cabanero], nandiyan yan palagi. Hindi naman siya looking to score talaga, pero kaya niya i-handle yung load ng dalawa kapag off sila,” Mejos shared.
“Happy ako dahil today, lahat maganda linaro today. Pero heading into the Final Four, sana magtuloy tuloy na sabay sila na magaganda laro kasi kailangan namin yung ganitong play galing sa kanila, especially yung leadership ni Dustin,” he concluded.
