Manila – University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs have secured another talent from the Visayas following the transfer of San Beda University Red Cubs guard Nicael Dominie Cabanero.
UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo confirmed to Panay News the commitment of the Lapu Lapu City, Cebu-native Cabanero, who was part of the Red Cubs champion team in NCAA Season 94 last year.
“Cabanero is right fit for the Tiger Cubs because naghahanap talaga kami ng point guard na malaki,” Ayo said on 6-foot-3 Cabanero. “We have talked to his parent when the UST conducted a tryout sa Cebu City earlier this year.”
“Malaki din ang potential ng bata at nakikita kong magcocomplement siya sa mga iba naming new recruits sa UST Tiger Cubs and dun sa mga holdovers from last year,” he added.
Ayo also said that Cabanero will be good to go for the Tiger Cubs in the upcoming UAAP Season 83 juniors basketball early next year as residency is not required from players transferring from NCAA.
Prior to being recruited to play for the Red Cubs in 2018, the 16-year-old Cabanero first suited up for University of San Carlos before transferring to Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.
“Masaya po ako na nakapag aral at nakapaglaro sa Manila dahil dream ko talaga ito kahit malungkot dahil malayo ako sa magulang ko,” Cabanero said in an interview with Im a Baller Facebook page.
“Isa lang siguro sa mga naging challenges for me noong dumating ako sa Manila eh ‘yung pagsasalita ng Tagalog. Alam nyo naman po “Bisdak” ang kinalakihan ko kaya hindi po sanay sa Tagalog.”
Cabanero, who was also being recruited by other Manila-based schools, joins fellow Cebu standouts Nichole Jay Cabanero and Vincent Raymund Escobido II of Don Bosco Technical College Greywolves and Leobert Andrew Casinillo of Magis Eagles.
The Tiger Cubs have also scored five talents from Iloilo City in Dave Bagatnan, Cedrick Manzano and Julian Mavrick Puerto of Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix and Rogelle Alvaladejo and Mark Joseph Jayme of Santa Clarita International School Primes.
