Is this the season for the Growling Tigers to awaken?
Nic Cabañero is learning to be a different kind of King Tiger for the UST Growling Tigers ahead of UAAP Season 86.
He already made a mark as the scoring leader by the end of the UAAP Season 85 elimination round with an average of 17.62 points. He notched a career-high 33 points against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
Now, he will be stepping up as the co-captain to Paul Manalang.
"Yung leadership, dapat 'di ako mag-stop to motivate my teammates," he said in an interview with the UAAP Varsity Channel.
It's quite different from what he was used to doing in his first year, but Cabañero is ready to take on the challenge.
"There's pressure, but I'm excited to have it."
And Cabañero is taking cue from coach Pido Jarencio, who he sees as a father figure.
"'Pag magkakasakit kami, kino-contact kami, 'How are we?', 'Kamusta feeling mo?' Ganyan," the player recounted.
UST will be starting fresh after ending at the bottom of the standings in UAAP Season 85 with a 1-13 record.
"Better to move forward and be ready for this upcoming season," Cabañero noted.
UAAP Season 86, hosted by the University of the East, will kick off on September 30.
(With reports from Julio Gabriel, One Sports Digital)
(GM)