University of Santo Tomas team captain Nic Cabanero remained tight-lipped about his future with the Growling Tigers following their early exit in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
In his first-ever Final Four game, Cabanero found himself hindered by foul trouble. He picked up his fourth foul on an offensive violation at the 5:37 mark of the third quarter.
As a result, the former San Beda Red Cub struggled, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting with two turnovers. Still, he managed to contribute three rebounds and one assist.
Cabanero, who has one more playing year with UST, shared that he will focus on his academics first before deciding whether to pursue a professional career or remain in the collegiate league.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Before making it sure, kung ano yung sasabihin ng Panginoon sa akin, I’ll take that opportunity. Of course, sobrang sarap maglaro sa UST. With those rumors, hindi ko pa alam ‘eh. Let’s see what happens kasi gusto ko muna mag-focus sa pag-aaral ko since gusto ko on-time ako grumaduate,” the fourth-year Marketing Management student told Tiebreaker Times.
“Gra-graduate kasi ako this year sa academics ko. If may opportunity, we’ll never know, but gusto ko pa rin maglaro for UST. Mag-focus muna ako sa academics ko kasi mag-iintern na rin ako ‘eh. Mahirap din sa transition na on the second semester sa class, dapat mag-focus muna ako sa academics.”
Despite leading UST to its best finish since Season 82 in 2019, Cabanero expressed that there is still plenty of room for improvement, not only for himself but also for his teammates and coaching staff.
The third-seeded UST, which reached the Final Four for the first time since 2019, was defeated by the University of the Philippines, 69-78, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday evening.
“Thankful and grateful kami for this season kasi this is my first Final Four and mostly my teammates – kasi si Forthsky lang may experience sa Finals and Final Four. Malaking boost sa amin ito mentally,” the Cebuano forward shared.
He emphasized, “We know how to play in the next level na rin. We still aim to be on top next season na rin.”
Cabanero went on, “Let’s see lang din, tignan natin. Masarap kasi maglaro sa college rin, iba yung crowd, atmosphere, and intensity sa laro. Kami mga bata pa talaga, so dapat pakitang gilas din kami. Magandang experience rin ito sa akin kasi yung development ko sa past ko, it helped me to evolve.
“Thankful and grateful ako sa coaches ko, sa teammates ko, sa PTs ko to help me be mentally ready and to the UST community na which I always dedicate my game to.”
