Through the chaos that followed the infamous Sorsogon Bubble, Nic Cabanero has remained the unwavering constant for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers — a lifer who weathered the program’s darkest years and carried the torch as the team clawed its way back from the ashes.
Cabanero’s introduction to the collegiate ranks was anything but easy. UST settled for a 3-11 record and a seventh-place finish in his rookie year — only to slide further into despair in the seasons that followed.
The Growling Tigers bottomed out with a 1-13 campaign in Season 85 before managing a modest two-win finish through 14 outings in Season 86.
Through it all, Cabanero served as a beacon of hope for the Growling Tigers.
He was a symbol that, one day, with the pride of Cebu at the heart of UST’s men’s basketball program, those painful seasons could transform into a full-circle moment. That he would propel the team back into perennial contention in the highly competitive UAAP men’s basketball landscape.
A glimpse of that promise came last season, as Cabanero guided the Growling Tigers to their first Final Four appearance in five years. Now, the 22-year-old guard’s journey toward closure continues with a strong 4-1 start to Season 88 — highlighted by a thrilling triple-overtime victory against Ateneo de Manila University.
For Cabanero — now in his fifth and final year with the program — the success feels even sweeter knowing the trials the Growling Tigers endured to reclaim their place among UAAP contenders.
“Alam mo ‘yon, mas maganda kasi lahat ng ito kasi galing kami sa baba ‘eh. Naniniwala rin talaga ako na every goal is like a process,” Cabanero told reporters Saturday evening at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
“Hindi kasi ‘yon kusa na ibibigay ng Panginoong Diyos sa iyo ‘eh — kailangan mo pagtrabahuan talaga.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
These emotions were on full display as Cabanero was seen overcome with tears following the grueling triple-overtime win — marking the first triple-overtime game in the Final Four era of UAAP men’s basketball.
But his tears were about more than just conquering a familiar foe. They reflected the overwhelming support of the Growling Tigers’ faithful — the team’s ever-reliable “sixth man” — whose energy proved instrumental in pushing UST to a share of the top spot with National University at 4-1.
“Ang sarap ng moment kanina. Napaiyak pa nga ako kanina dahil sa sobrang tuwa at sa panalo. Alam ko na hindi basta-basta na makakaabot ka ng three overtimes,” the 21-year-old winger from Lapu-Lapu City shared.
“At lahat ng ito ay dahil sa buong UST community at sa walang sawa na supporta nila. Alam namin na malayong venue ito na Ateneo, kaya alam ko na ginawa nila yung best nila to cheer and be the sixth man in the game.”
Despite the strong start, Cabanero is well aware that the climb to ending the Growling Tigers’ 19-year title drought remains steep, especially now that every opponent has them squarely in their sights.
By adopting a one-game-at-a-time mindset, UST’s co-captain remains confident the Growling Tigers can sustain their level of play through the first five games — and even raise their performance to new heights.
“Just treat every game as one step at a time lang talaga. Hindi namin dapat na i-underestimate every time kasi lahat ng UAAP teams ngayon ay malalakas,” he said.
“Gagawin lang namin ang best namin and we’ll show how the UST Growling Tigers play.”
#WATCH: Nic Cabanero on UST’s 4-1 start to #UAAPSeason88: “Mas masarap ito dahil galing kami sa baba” 🐯🏀
🎥 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/b1kLdmWPwI
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 11, 2025
