UST’s Nic Cabañero against FEU in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Just days removed from his 21st birthday, University of Santo Tomas star Nic Cabañero had one wish for his special day.

With UST in need of a victory after successive setbacks, Cabañero wanted nothing more but for the Growling Tigers to get back on the winning track.

His wish came true Saturday as UST held off Far Eastern University, 83-72, to end its first-round campaign.

“I told coach Japs (Cuan), ‘coach, let’s just win this,’ because it’s a big boost of confidence for us in the next round which we’re preparing for,” said a beaming Cabañero, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday.

“Actually, that was his wish–to win and win today. We were almost there against UP but towards the end, they collapsed so that was also a motivation for us, ending the first round with a win,” said UST assistant coach Japs Cuan.

Cabañero helped UST snap a two-game slide, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds.

“I think we’re just hungry to win because we were on two straight losses so we just wanted to be ready in this game which resulted in us winning this game. Whether it’s my teammates’ birthday or mine, it doesn’t matter as long as we stay grounded and hungry,” Cabañero said.

UST rebounded following back-to-back losses to defending champion La Salle and last year’s runner-up University of the Philippines.

The win gave the Tigers a winning record at 4-3 heading into a tougher second round of action.

Cabañero believes getting older also means becoming mature on and off the court as he continues to be one of the leaders of a UST side that is determined to make the Final Four after a string of losing seasons.

“I’m ready for the challenge. For me, I have on and off games so I’m thankful for my teammates who helped me to be mature,” Cabañero said.

“I always believe in his capability as a player and I always guide him as a coach and a big brother since I used to play for UST. The good thing with him is he’s always been coachable, he listens and he wants to fill his lapses which is a good attitude for him to be a good player,” said Cuan, who was the starting point guard during UST’s championship run in 2006. “From last year when we coached him ’til now, he has improved a lot, especially with his decision-making.”

Helping UST give Cabañero more reasons to celebrate was Forthsky Padrigao and Mo Tounkara, who both notched double-doubles in the Growling Tigers’ victory.

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Padrigao had 14 points and 11 assists while Tounkara registered 21 points and 17 rebounds.maxgaming

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