Less time with a ball was a tradeoff that University of Santo Tomas star Nic Cabañero was willing to make as he stepped aside to give rookie big man Collins Akowe more touches Sunday, Sept. 21.
The result? A statement win by the Growling Tigers, 87-67, over defending champion University of the Philippines to begin their UAAP Season 88 campaign with a bang right at their homecourt at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Now with more support in his final playing year, Cabañero saw firsthand the type of dominance that Akowe can bring to UST.
[RELATED STORY: Host UST stuns reigning champ UP to kickstart UAAP Season 88 men's basketball bid]
Akowe proved just how pivotal he is to the Tigers' campaign as he stood his ground against a formidable Fighting Maroons team.
He fueled his squad's hot start, dropping 16 points and 11 rebounds to help them enjoy a 23-point cushion, 45-22, in the first half.
While UP put up a fight to cut the deficit to single digits, UST never wavered and went on to complete the 20-point win.
At the end of it, Akowe had a monster double-double of 29 points and 17 rebounds.
Nic Cabañero embraces his supporting role to rookie Collins Akowe in UST's match against UP in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Sunday, Sept. 21. | Photo: The UAAP
For Cabañero, it was a no-brainer, especially seeing the rookie’s development since joining UST.
“As Collins said, he’s just doing his role. Even as a rookie, I know — and I’ve been in the UAAP for how many years — he will do well," Cabañero said after the match.
“Lagi kaming [nag-uusap] about sa future niya sa UST and ini-instill and gina-guide lang namin ni Forthsky (Padrigao) si Collins and all the teammates.”
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Nic Cabañero: 'Kayang-kaya naming talunin 'yong UP'
Despite UST jumping the gun on UP, the Fighting Maroons were not ones to easily raise the white flag as they got within single digits late in the first half, 49-41, and in the third period, 51-58.
But throughout the match, the Tigers were relentless, even as they played without Forthsky Padrigao, who was serving a one-game suspension.
After UP closed the gap to seven in the third, UST stepped on the gas and went on an 11-2 run that pushed their lead back to 16, 69-53.
Collins Akowe spearheads UST's march to victory in its opening match against UP. | Photo: The UAAP
The Tigers cruised from there, hiking their advantage to as many as 25 points, 85-60, to notch their first victory over the Fighting Maroons since prevailing in their Final Four encounter in Season 82.
The Espana-based squad ousted twice-to-beat UP to face Ateneo in the championship stage of that year.
According to Cabañero, it was all about the Tigers' belief in themselves.
“We prepared well tapos stick to the system lang nina Coach Pido [Jarencio]. Naniniwala talaga ako sa mga teammates ko ngayong kayang-kaya naming talunin 'yong UP,” Cabañero said.
“I think, kinu-commend ko lahat ng teammates ko and the coaches kasi teamwork talaga 'yong nangyari hanggang makuha namin 'yong panalo,” he continued.
Cabañero finished with nine points, five rebounds and one assist in his supporting role for Akowe.
Spark plug Kyle Paranada scored a second-best 18 markers, while adding three rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Mark Belmonte was the bright spot for the Fighting Maroons in the losing effort with 12 points, four rebounds and one assist.
UST will have another tough test when it takes on La Salle Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
UP, meanwhile, will lick its wounds and step right back into battle against Adamson still at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Wednesday, Sept. 24.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team and mixed martial arts.