BY John Miles Arcenal
EVEN when the shots didn’t fall, Nic Cabañero kept coming.
The University of Santo Tomas captain refused to hang his head after missing potential game-winners in regulation and the first two extra periods, instead digging deep to lead the Growling Tigers past Ateneo in a wild triple-overtime thriller at the Blue Eagle Gym.
READ: UST raids Jared's house, ruins Ateneo homecoming in 3OT classic
Cabañero finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, but his biggest contribution came from the attitude that kept him - and UST - alive when everything seemed to be slipping away.
“Sarap sa feeling kasi naniwala talaga yung teammates and coaches ko na i-take over ko talaga lalo papunta sa third overtime,” he said.
“Hindi namin inisip yung mga lapses, hindi ko inisip yung mga naging lapses ko, and heads up lang lagi.”
J-UST do it
It would’ve been easy to fold. Frustrations were real, especially after the Growling Tigers blew multiple chances to close out the game early. But instead of sulking, the senior wing leaned on faith.
“To be honest, may frustrations talaga kasi alam mo yung kaya talaga eh, pero hindi binigay sayo ng Panginoon,” he told SPIN.ph.
In short, Cabañero and Co. went all 'NSD' - or 'Never Say Die.' You know, just like their mentor Pido Jarencio, as well as UST team manager Alfrancis Chua.
“Malaking factor na nandiyan si boss Al to support and watch us,” he said. “Yung mga advice niya sa’min, malaking boost ng confidence namin.”
Indeed, now on its third season, the SMC effect continues to work wonders for the black-and-gold.
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