By: George Torno
Sometimes, winning means swallowing your pride.
Nic Cabañero did just that, putting personal goals aside to guide University of Santo Tomas past the University of the East, 109–97, snapping a four-game losing streak that had the Growling Tigers questioning themselves.
“It’s not about me, Nic Cabañero, it’s not about Collins Akowe, it’s not about Forthsky Padrigao,” said the 22-year-old senior from Lapu-Lapu City.
“We need to be ready from the first man to the 16th man. Isa rin ’yung ego. But we have respect for each other.”
Cabañero believes the win came from renewed trust within the squad, a mindset shift that helped them refocus after a rough stretch.
His leadership, alongside Padrigao’s, has kept the team’s fire burning even amid the harrowing skid.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It all starts sa leadership namin ni Forthsky na dapat stay together pa rin kami as a unit,” the 6-foot-2 guard added.
“Of course, malaki tiwala ni Coach Pido (Jarencio) sa amin eh, and all the coaching staff na kami talaga yung mag-take over on that, so di muna kami mag-press ng panic button on that but yun, gratefully and thankfully, nakuha namin yung panalo.”
Cabañero also credited the coaching staff for rebuilding the team’s mental toughness.
“Even sa mga coaches din, that’s how they mold us and believe in us na mentally tough talaga kami after nung four-game losing streak. Pero we still believe that we can, and sa lahat ng chances and opportunity, we just need to make sure that we will grab the opportunity,” he said.
Finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists, Cabañero noted that improved communication on the floor played a pivotal role — not only in identifying what needed fixing, but also in keeping the Tigers mentally and physically prepared for challenges ahead.
Free-throw woes had haunted UST during their losing skid, but trusting whoever steps to the line has paid off, helping stabilize the team late in games.
“Stick lang talaga kami kung ano yung routines namin, and we are just enjoying it when we shoot free throws like that. Malaki yun eh, to boost our confidence and make those shots,” Cabañero said.
