INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – University Santo Tomas star cager Dylan Ababou admits he dreams of becoming MVP. He gets one last shot at making that dream a reality in his final season with the Tigers.

“I have always dreamed of being MVP and I am now at that stage where I don’t know what to do anymore,” the six-foot-three forward revealed in an interview.

Ababou acknowledged the fact that the Tigers are currently in a “rebuilding” phase and not as strong three seasons ago when he and teammate Jervy Cruz led UST to an inspired championship versus Ateneo de Manila University.

Incidentally, he was awarded the Sixth Man award that season for his contributions to the Tigers’ cause off the bench.

He isn’t counting much on nailing that coveted prize but he opens his final season carrying with him a ton of experience, thanks to his stint with Smart Gilas national squad.

Ababou is part of the three-year Smart-Gilas developmental program along with other collegiate standouts in a bid to reclaim basketball glory for the country in international tournaments.

The senior Behavioral Science, though, said he likewise depends on his teammates as much as they depend on him

“My strength always comes from the team and I don’t feel so much pressure since people know that we’re in the process of rebuilding our team,” said Ababou.

He added: “Coach (Jarencio) always tells us to just do what he thinks is right and take our proper places inside the court.”

Ababou was part of the RP Youth Team when he was still in high school studying at Sienna College in Quezon City. Distance-wise, it wasn’t that far from where he would be playing ball in college, encouraged by a former teammate to try out for UST.

On playing for Smart-Gilas, he considers himself privileged to be part of the program earning him exposure in international play. He said he has learned to be flexible playing different positions on-court

After UAAP, Ababou plans to finish his contract with Smart Gilas and then pursue a professional basketball career in the PBA.

“But for now, I want to help my team. If other teams say ‘one game at a time, we say ‘one quarter at a time,” he said.