After the late scratch of Sherwin Concepcion in its UAAP Season 85 lineup due to being overaged, University of Santo Tomas might have found its new King Tiger in Nic Cabañero.
The 18-year-old bulky guard went on a scoring barrage in the Growling Tigers’ opener against Adamson University, unloading 33 points on a very efficient 13-of-18 shooting from the field with four assists and two rebounds.
More importantly, Cabañero led UST and its new head coach Bal David to a 69-60 triumph over the Soaring Falcons at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.
“Sobrang overwhelmed and blessed kasi pinagdadasal ko kasi I’m turning 19 kasi this Monday. Lagi kong ipinagdadasal na ibigay sa amin itong first win, hindi lang first pati ‘yung upcoming games,” said Cabañero.
“Ito kasi ‘yung magbibitbit sa amin in the future, dito namin makukuha ‘yung kumpyansa namin,” he added.
And with his birthday coming up, he has his inspirations closer as his parents went to watch the game live in the Pasay City venue.
With his parents in town, Cabañero made sure to give his parents a show to remember and be proud of.
“Pumunta pa ‘yung parents ko dito from Cebu eh so pinakita ko sa kanila kung paano ako maglaro,” he shared.
“Sobrang thankful din ako kay Coach Bal [David] kasi hinahayaan niya ako kung ano ‘yung gusto kong gawin sa court and naniniwala siya sa akin na kaya ko.”
But David answered right away after the aforementioned statement by his high-scoring guard.
This as the newly-minted bench tactician looks highly at his precious gem who played 32 minutes and 29 seconds.
“Wala naman sigurong hindi magtitiwala sa skills ni Nic ano?” said David, part of the UST squad that swept Season 56 in 1993.
“Lahat ng coaches, sa talent ni Nic, bibigyan siya ng opportunity na mag-grow lalo na nawala ‘yung dalawa sa core namin si Bryan [Santos] at Sherwin.”
