As they prepare for their final season with University of Sto. Tomas, Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao are leveling up their game on the international stage.
The duo is set to lead the Zamboanga Valientes in the 34th Dubai Basketball International Championship, where they’ll face seasoned professionals, gaining crucial experience that could help propel UST to greater heights in the upcoming UAAP Season 88.
With an exclusive opportunity to showcase their skills against the Middle East’s best, Cabañero and Padrigao are determined to soak in every lesson as they aim for championship glory in their final year.
“We’re thankful to the Valientes team, to our coaches, the management, our teammates, our supporters, the UST community, na nabigyan kami ng chance dito to help me and Forthsky showcase more our talent. I think marami kaming matututunan din from our kuyas and the rest. Malaking bagay sa amin ‘to, for me and Forthsky, for our final year in UST,” said the UST captain.
“Special siya kasi si Nic kasama ko. Lahat siguro ng pwede naming matutunan sa Dubai league. Like what I’ve said din kanina, magiging sponge lang kami ni Nic talaga dito kasi lahat ng makakalaban namin mas experienced sa amin eh kung paguusapan natin about basketball career. ‘Yun lang talaga, doing everything that we can and then maybe apply it sa paparating na liga,” added the 23-year-old point guard.
Cabañero expressed his excitement about learning from the Valientes’ deep veteran pool, which includes former PBA standouts Mike Tolomia, Rudy Lingganay, Rashawn McCarthy, and Prince Caperal, seasoned international player Sam Deguara, and former NBA player Adonis Thomas.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Super excited ako kasi matagal na kaming magkasama ni Forthsky, almost three years na rin. Grateful din ako sa mga seniors dito na kasama ko sa Valientes, sila kuya Kyt (Jimenez), kuya (Rashawn) Mccarthy, sila kuya Prince (Caperal), sila Malick (Diouf), and the rest, kay kuya Sam (Deguara) din,” said the former San Beda Red Cub.
“Grateful kasi ginuide nila kami and sila boss Junnie (Navarro) rin andun ‘yung todong suporta sa team and sa mga coaches thankful din kami,” he added.
Cabañero and Padrigao are determined to absorb everything they can during their stint with the Valientes and use this experience to help lead UST back to the top of the UAAP.
“We had a Final Four stint last season and we’re still aiming for the championship. Bigay lang namin ‘yung best na makakaya namin and let’s see kasi maaga pa naman ‘yung preparation, me and Forthsky, malaking tulong ‘tong opportunity na ‘to with the Valientes to help us improve, develop, and to see what we can do,” said the 6-foot-2 combo guard.
For Padrigao, this experience means more than just basketball. He now has the rare opportunity to represent his hometown on the international stage for the first time.
The 6-foot floor general, a product of Ateneo de Zamboanga, will reunite with his former coach, Bobedick delos Santos, as they aim to make their fellow Zamboangueños proud in their first international stint together.
“Excited lang kasi, like I’ve said before, huling na-represent ko ‘yung Zamboanga I was Grade 6 pa and then same head coach, si Coach Bobedick siya rin ‘yung naging coach ko sa Ateneo from Grade 2 to Grade 6,” said Padrigao.
“So I’m just really excited na makasama ulit ‘yung mga fellow Zamboangueños ko kasi hindi palaging may ganitong opportunity na binibigay sa atin. I’ll just cherish this one and talagang ieenjoy ko lang ‘to.”
The Zamboanga Valientes, placed in Group B, will begin their Dubai Basketball International Championship campaign against Sagesse SC of Lebanon on Tuesday. The rest of their group includes Al Ahli Tripoli from Libya, Sharjah SC from the United Arab Emirates, and the national team of Tunisia.
