UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas star Nic Cabanero reunites with college teammate Forthsky Padrigao, as they join the Zamboanga Valientes in their coming campaign in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Team owner Junnie Navarro announced the signing of the UAAP Season 87 Mythical Five member on Saturday, as Zamboanga tries to load up a competitive roster for the Jan. 24 to Feb. 2 tournament.
Cabanero will have Padrigao for his backcourt partner, with the duo teaming up anew after recently guiding the Growling Tigers to their first Final Four appearance since 2019.
READ: Kyt Jimenez verbally agrees to play for Valientes in Dubai
Former San Miguel guard Kyt Jimenez and former Ginebra big man Prince Caperal are among the early signings of the Valientes, who will be reinforced by former former UAAP MVP Malick Diouf and 7-foot-6 veteran Sam Deguara.
The Valientes are coming off a championship stint in the grand finals of The Asian Tournament, beating the Macau Black Bears in the championship game, 81-65, behind former NBA player Demarcus Cousins.
The team's title run eventually became its passport to earn a slot in the Dubai meet, where Zamboanga has long been trying to join, according to Navarro.
"It's a different story now than The Asian Tournament. It will be a higher level of basketball," said the former player and Valientes team owner of what he expects in the Dubai tournament.
"Pressured pero nothing to lose."
Of course, aside from Padrigao, other Zamboanga natives suiting up for the Valientes are Mike Tolomia and Rudy Lingganay.
Zamboanga is one of two local teams representing the Philippine side in the annual cage meet in the Middle East, the other being the Strong Group Athletics.
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