UST GROWLING TIGERS’ NIC CABAÑERO — UAAP

THE KING TIGER is leaving the lair to strut his stuff in a tougher jungle of the professional world.

After playing his final year with University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the UAAP, Nic Cabañero is set for a much-awaited pro stint as one of the country’s top collegiate players and it looks like he will have a bountiful of options here or abroad.

Mr. Cabañero, also a former Gilas youth team, poured it all in his final hurrah with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Growling Tigers secured back-to-back bronze medal-finish after early exits in his first three seasons.

He also made it to the Elite Team as the league’s best scorer with 16.8 points, impressing enough scouts should there by any especially with the abundance of UAAP players in the overseas leagues like the Korean Basketball League and the Japan B.League.

Last year, two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao of De La Salle University and Finals MVP JD Cagulangan of University of the Philippines were the latest players to bring their acts abroad. While that’s an option for Mr. Cabañero, a local stint is also possible with the MPBL until October next year for the PBA Draft, where he is expected to be one of the lottery picks.

Those, however, can wait as Mr. Cabañero opted to savor the moment of his last leap with the Growling Tigers despite failing to deliver a championship.

Mr. Cabañero, a former Red Cub, started his first three seasons with only a six-win campaign before guiding the Growling Tigers to two straight Final Four appearances on top of his two Elite Team selections.

But for him, there’s more to it than just a basketball legacy after playing all his collegiate years with loyalty in España, with hopes of more players doing the same for academic reasons. The championship, which Santo Tomas last tasted in 2006, will eventually come along with that. — John Bryan Ulanday

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