Nic Cabañero grateful even as UST ends run with Final Four loss

MANILA, Philippines – For Nic Cabañero, patience paid off even after the UST Growling Tigers ended their UAAP campaign in the Final Four.

Winning just a combined six games in his first three years with the then-struggling Tigers, Cabañero finally enjoyed a breakthrough season as UST reached the Final Four for the first time since 2019. 

On top of that, Cabañero enjoyed his personal best run yet as he also earned a spot in the league’s Mythical Five with averages of 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

“In the past three seasons that I played, we were at the bottom. But I was never out there to prove something to others. I just wanted to do what I can for the team,” he said. 

For the first time in his collegiate career, Cabañero was surrounded by formidable talent like Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, and foreign student-athlete Mo Tounkara. 

But while Padrigao already announced that he will return for his final collegiate season, Cabañero still remains non-committal, noting that graduating from his marketing management degree remains his top priority. 

If he returns, Cabañero hopes to help end UST’s near two-decade title drought — the last coming in 2006 — and give the Tigers their 19th UAAP men’s basketball championship.

“I think every team’s goal is to be on top, to be the champion. So, our team, we’re also aiming for a championship,” he said. 

“We’re going to continue towards our goal,” he added. “I am thankful and grateful for this season because this is my first Final Four, and mostly for my teammates… so this is a big boost for us mentally, since we now know how to play going to the next level.” – Rappler.com