UAAP: New UST team has Cabanero hopeful of Final Four

UST Growling Tigers during the UAAP Season 87 press conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Nic Cabañero believes University of Santo Tomas will redeem itself in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament after placing last the previous year.

Playing his fourth season after three cellar-dwelling campaigns, Cabañero finally got his best UST team yet in coach Pido Jarencio’s second year with transferee guards Forthsky Padrigao and Kyle Paranada adding more firepower.

“I think we’re ready to play and we’re excited to play and personally, excited din ako to be with my new teammates,” Cabañero told Inquirer Sports.

READ: UAAP: Brand new team bumps up Pido Jarencio’s hopes

“I think I can say that UST can have more wins and let’s see kung kaya namin maging contenders sa Final Four and even sa championship. But we got to take it slow, one game at a time,” he added.

In Cabañero’s first three seasons as UST’s main gunner, the Growling Tigers only had a total of six wins including Season 85’s 2-12 finish in Jarencio’s return.

Jarencio said it’s no longer just Cabañero’s team anymore with Padrigao and Paranada as well as newcomers Amiel Acido, Geremy Robinson,  Leland Estacio, Ice Danting, Chase Lane, and Mo Tounkara providing a huge boost to the program.

“This isn’t Nic Cabanero’s team. This is UST team. Itong team na to, tulong-tulong to, sama-sama ito. Maraming talent na pumasok,” said the veteran UST coach.

Cabañero said it wasn’t hard to gel with their new teammates with the help of his fellow mainstays Christian Manaytay and Migs Pangilinan and coach Jarencio and his veteran-laden staff. 

READ: UAAP: Pido Jerencio reboots UST comeback with roster that’s truly his

“Madali lang naman yung adjustments because we’ve been together for almost three years so parang nagkakaamuyan na kami and parang nalalaman na rin namin yung each personality even outside of basketball,” he said. “Andiyan naman siya (coach) lagi to guide us and marami naman siyang experience from his past coaching that will give us insights to be better basketball players.”

UST opens its Season 87 campaign against the University of the East on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum at 1 p.m.

“My personal goal is to be in the Final Four and to be in the championship but before that, I can’t say it yet kasi the season hasn’t started. Iba yung UAAP, every adjustment will happen so I’m gonna take it slow and focus in every game and give our best,” Cabañero said.