Nic Cabañero refused to let UST drop back-to-back games on their home turf, leading the Growling Tigers to the highest-scoring performance of UAAP Season 88 so far at UE's expense.
Nic Cabañero couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift.
Just one day after celebrating his 22nd birthday, the UST veteran spearheaded a much-needed Growling Tigers bounce back at the expense of the UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
[ALSO READ: UST regains winning groove, adds woe for UE in UAAP Season 88]
Cabañero exploded for 17 of his team-high 22 points in a well-rounded UST attack, leading a third-quarter surge that secured their third win of the season.
“Motivation lang talaga namin ‘yung past game namin sa NU. Gustong-gusto naming bumawi and ‘yung gusto naming bawi is hindi gigil,” he said in the post-game press conference.
While Cabañero led the charge, UST’s win was a team effort.
Nic Cabañero delivers a strong outing for UST against UE | Photo: The UAAP
Forthsky Padrigao added 18 points, six assists, and six steals as rookie Collins Akowe bounced back from a lackluster performance in the previous game, delivering a strong double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Amiel Acido and Mark Llemit also chipped in 11 points apiece as UST improved to 3-1 on the season.
From Birthday Candles to Ball Dominance
It wasn’t just about the win — it was how UST responded after their tough loss to NU, where they scored just 69 points.
Against UE, the Growling Tigers exploded offensively, registering the highest scoring output of any team in Season 88.
“It’s my fifth year sa UAAP and alam ko ‘yung pros and cons ng teams din. Nagstick lang talaga ako sa system na binibigay ng coaches sa’min. Without my teammates and coaches din, hindi ako makakapaglaro ng ganito,” the Growling Tiger said.
One of the leaders of the team, Cabañero spent another year of his birthday with his coaches and teammates — which he called his second family.
“Yesterday kasi, nag-bonding lang kasama ng coaches and teammates and may konting celebration lang… Grateful ako na sinamahan nila ako sa maligayang araw sa buhay ko.”
Meanwhile, John Abate paced UE with 27 points, while Dray Caolle scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half.
UE also hasn't defeated UST in two years, with their last victory over the Growling Tigers coming during their elimination sweep in Season 86.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.