Standing as one of the smallest players on the court has never stopped University of Santo Tomas’ fearless floor general, Rowie Cabanero, from standing tall when it matters most.
Entering the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, the 15-year-old playmaker was expected to take on a supporting role behind his distant cousin Andwele, a Season 87 Mythical Five member, and the Gilas Pilipinas Youth duo of Raj Sidhu and Everaigne Cruz.
Fate, though, had other plans.
Andwele took his talents to the NCAA with Colegio de San Juan de Letran, while Sidhu and Cruz were ruled ineligible — a sudden blow that left UST’s redemption campaign in jeopardy just days before the season tip-off.
At that pivotal moment, Cabanero understood what needed to be done.
With poise beyond his years, he accepted the challenge of leading the Tiger Cubs’ offense. And he felt determined to keep them competitive against league powerhouses such as the NU-Nazareth School Bullpups, UE Junior Warriors, FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, and Adamson Baby Falcons.
And in a display of heart and hustle, the 5-foot-5 guard delivered.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Through sheer determination, Cabanero has guided UST to a strong 6-2 record, capping the first round sitting second in the MVP race with 91.286 statistical points.
His lead is anchored on impressive averages of 11.57 points, 9.71 assists, 5.86 rebounds, and 2.57 steals per game.
Even Cabanero admits that this level of success caught him by surprise.
“Hindi ko ine-expect na ganitong impact kaagad na gawa ko kasi hindi po talaga ako yung main point guard dati, kasi sa sobrang dami naming guards,” Cabanero told Tiebreaker Times.
“Nung nalaman ko na hindi sila makakapaglaro, sabi ko sa sarili ko [na] it’s time to step up as a point guard. At ayon, nagsipag lang ako kada ensayo, walang rest, tsaka extra shooting palagi. At nagbunga naman — doon ko na realize na kaya ko talaga.”
For the Mahaplag, Leyte native, the transition wasn’t easy.
He admitted being awestruck at first by the level of competition in the UAAP, where he now finds himself squaring off against the likes of Goodluck Okebata of UE, Moussa Diakite of NU-Nazareth, Dwyne Enriquez and Prince Cariño of FEU-D, and Sky Jazul of Ateneo.
But those long, quiet hours in the gym — from his roots in Leyte to his grind in Manila — are finally bearing fruit.
“Pinaghandaan ko po talaga at pinaghirapan na makasabay sa mga ganitong player sa UAAP. Di ko rin po ine-expect na mag-second place ako sa MVP race kasi wala naman po talaga akong pakialam. Sa’kin lang po ay makatulong sa team,” he said.
Despite his growing individual recognition, Cabanero’s focus remains firmly on one goal — bringing the Tiger Cubs back to the top after last season’s heartbreaking runner-up finish.
“Para sa’kin po makatulong sa team para mag-champion ang focus ko. Bonus na po kung may award man o wala. Magiging thankful na lang ako sa kung ano ang ibibigay sa akin ni Lord,” he concluded.
