Nic Cabañero and the rest of UST have placed themselves firmly in the title conversation after two big wins against UP and La Salle in UAAP Season 88.
University of Santo Tomas has no interest in getting lost in the high of its impressive start to the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball.
The Growling Tigers have just stunned La Salle, 93-84, Saturday, Sept. 27 — only six days after shocking reigning titleholder University of the Philippines in their opening match.
UST thus found itself at a three-way logjam at the first spot with Ateneo and National University after scoring wins over last year's finalists.
[RELATED STORY: UST fuels title contender tag with another huge win over La Salle in UAAP Season 88]
But the Tigers are not ones to get ahead of themselves.
Though UST has title aspirations, veteran gunner Nic Cabañero is not keen on getting too caught up in his team's early showing.
“It’s too early for now. Focus lang kami, one game at a time.” Cabañero said.
UST scores twin kill vs. UP, La Salle
After its comprehensive 87-67 win over the Fighting Maroons where they led by as many as 25 points, the Tigers had to mount a comeback against the Green Archers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
UST saw itself down by 12 points, 56-68, midway through the third quarter.
UST star Nic Cabañero tries to score a basket against La Salle's Mike Phillips. | Photo: UAAP
But the Tigers shifted into a higher gear, unleashing a 14-2 run capped by free throws from Cabañero to tie the count at 70-all with 1:30 remaining in the third.
Heading into the final canto, UST was within two, 72-74.
Then in the fourth, Forthsky Padrigao, back from an opening game suspension, helped manufacture offense for a 21-10 bomb that ushered UST to victory.
Cabañero: Not just La Salle, UP; other teams also good
Despite this, Cabañero wasn’t about to call the Tigers the favorites for the title.
With such a competitive field, UST will have to be careful no matter who they face.
Nic Cabañero reacts during UST's game against La Salle. | Photo: UAAP
“Hindi lang La Salle and UP 'yong nilu-look forward naming kalabanin. Kasi I know that other teams are good. So, Ateneo, NU is there, FEU, lahat talaga. Ang UE, hindi talaga namin i-a-underestimate [pati] Adamson,” he said.
Cabañero led the way with his 27-point outing built on an 11-for-20 shooting clip, while Collins Akowe continued to impress with his 20 points and 19 boards.
Amiel Acido contributed 13 markers while Padrigao came through with 12 points, three rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
Jacob Cortez paced the Green Archers with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Mike Phillips chipped in eight points, 15 boards and four assists.
Cabañero finished with 27 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
UST returns to its home court in the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila to duke it out with the Bulldogs Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Meanwhile, DLSU tangles with Far Eastern U (0-2) in the other game.
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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.