“Just a good player in a bad team.”
That was the criticism of Nic Cabañero despite his high-scoring performances in his first three seasons in the UAAP with the University of Santo Tomas.
He had failed to lift the storied school to the Final Four during those years.
His scoring was impressive, especially in Seasons 85 and 86, where he led the league in points scored.
Cabañero racked up 17.62 points per game in Season 85, but the Growling Tigers only secured one win – against their season opener – before losing their next 13 games.
It was a similar story for the 6-foot-3 guard-forward in Season 86. He emerged as the league’s top scorer with 16.79 points, but UST only managed two wins in Pido Jarencio’s first season back as head coach.
“One thing that I’ve remembered, fans are saying na I’m just good in a bad team,” shared Cabañero.
This Season 87, Cabañero (16.64 ppg) fell just short of the scoring title by a mere six-point difference. He lost it to De La Salle University’s Kevin Quiambao, who scored 16.64 points.
But the remarks about him being a “good player in a bad team” can now be laid to rest, as the Growling Tigers returned to the Final Four on Saturday after a 75-49 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
For the first time in his collegiate career, Cabañero is Final Four-bound.
“I’m just doing my job, doing what I can for the team, for UST. Wala na sa akin ‘yung di ko nakuha ang scoring title; ang mahalaga pasok kami sa Final Four and we will now prepare for our game against UP,” shared the San Beda-Taytay product.
Now, the third-seeded UST hopes to build on its momentum and make a Cinderella run when it faces the juggernaut second-ranked University of the Philippines in the semifinals, where the Fighting Maroons hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
But why did Cabañero stay with UST despite the struggles?
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With his impressive play not translating into wins for UST in the past, Cabañero, of course, considered his future with the team.
During that time, the UAAP had yet to revise its residency rules, and transferring between teams was becoming increasingly common.
However, the 21-year-old winger decided to stay with the Growling Tigers, thanks to the guidance of his parents and UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP.
“Mahal ko talaga ‘yung fans ng UST. Mahal ko ‘yung school ko dahil din kay Fr. Rodel Cansancio. Siya talaga ‘yung tumulong sa akin na magstay talaga dito sa UST,” said Cabañero, his voice cracking.
“Kino-convince din ako ng parents ko just to stay kasi naniwala talaga ako na pana-panahon lang talaga. May oras din na dadating na kami naman nasa taas, but now, dapat hindi kami maging complacent kasi we’re just no. 3 in the standings, may twice-to-beat advantage ang UP. We need to defeat them twice.”
Also influencing his decision to remain in España was the vision of Jarencio, despite the 2-12 record last season.
Now, their hard work, sacrifices, and efforts have paid off with UST’s return to the Final Four after five years.
“Oo, nakita ko talaga kasi I’ve been waiting for three years. Nagre-recruit sila, Coach Pido, they’re doing their job; management, they’re doing their job; UST, they’re doing their job. So it’s not all about me, not all about my teammates, but everyone contributed to this achievement for us to be in the Final Four.”
