At A Glance
- Fiery guard Nic Cabañero received a fitting gift from his squad on his 21st birthday after University of Santo Tomas toppled University of the East, 111-99, in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion over the weekend.
UST's Nic Cabañero celebrates his 21st birthday in a fitting fashion. (UAAP Media)
Fiery guard Nic Cabañero received a fitting gift from his squad on his 21st birthday after University of Santo Tomas toppled University of the East, 111-99, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion over the weekend.
Playing in his final year with the Growling Tigers, Cabañero expressed his gratitude to his teammates and coaches who joined him and celebrated his special day.
“I'm grateful. Nag-bonding kami ng mga coaches and teammates ko, I had a little celebration with them,” said Cabañero.
“I didn't have any other celebration or what, kasama ko sila, in which sila ‘yong second family ko rito sa Manila,” he added. “I'm always grateful and thankful na sinamahan nila ako sa maligayang kaarawan ko.”
The Cebuano hotshot sizzled in front of the home fans at UST where he came out inspired and steered the España-based squad with 22 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.
“Our bonding with our teammates and coaches also helps. It's a big thing to help one another, to boost our confidence, even galing kami sa talo,” he continued.
Their victory over the Red Warriors stopped the Tigers’ bleeding after the latter got tamed by the National University Bulldogs, 76-69, last Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the same venue.
UST now holds a 3-1 record, tying NU and just behind the unscathed Ateneo (4-0) in the standings.
But the one who took the cake was Collins Akowe as the 6-foot-10 Nigerian recovered from his previous dismal outing and stood up with an 18-point, 17-rebound, two-assist, and three-block stat line.
After a week-long respite, Cabañero, Collins, and the Tigers step on the hard court against the Ateneo Blue Eagles Saturday, Oct. 11.