The Growling Tigers gained another talent as Tiger Cub Nicael Cabañero joins the revamp basketball program of the University of Santo Tomas. 

On Wednesday, a source confirmed that Cabanero will continue his commitment with UST and will play for the collegiate level.

“I am so excited to wear and represent UST. Excited na rin ako sa sigawang ng UST community at magkaroon ng UAAP Season 84,” Cabañero said in an interview with Tomasinoweb.

“Hindi ko na iniisip ang mga [ibang] offers ganon basta mahalaga kung saan napili ko kung saan mag-improve and grow.” Cabañero said. 

UST with young players on their pack, Cabañero believes that he can contribute in the team especially with the new head coach Jinino Manansala under their watch.

“Although karamihan sa amin are new players, nasa puso na talaga na maging dilaw,” he added.

Six-foot-2 Cabañero is ready and gives his full trust to  the coaching staff to any role and position  that he may play inside the court.

“I think ang coaches na po ang bahala if ano ipapagawa sa akin kasi kaya ko po maging combo guard,” he said. 

As the pandemic halts the UAAP Season 83 to proceed, this does not put off the hopes of Cabañero to continuously train and be prepared for the upcoming UAAP Season 84. 

“I do train everyday kahit limited lang yung court, minsan nakakawalang gana pero hindi ko iniisip yun kasi para sa akin yung training na yun ay para mas mag-improve ako and mas better everyday,” Cabañero said as he is eager to put all his efforts for UST.

The collegiate level of basketball might be new to Cabañero since there are bigger and taller players but he keeps his mind and body focused in conditioning himself to the league.

“I am so excited to wear and represent UST…Thankful ako sa mga coaches ko dahil ang laki ng tiwala nila sa akin,” Cabañero mentioned. 

He was also part of the championship of the San Beda Red Cubs in NCAA Season 94 and was soon recruited by former head coach Aldin Ayo in Cebu  to join the UST Tiger Cubs.

He averaged 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals in his 12 games on NCAA Season 95. 

As a new chapter awaits with UST, the basketball program of the UST Men’s Basketball Team continues its revamps in preparation for the next season.

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University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers added firepower to their backcourt with the commitment of former De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers Gunner Kean Baclaan.

When asked by TomasinoWeb why he chose UST over other schools, Baclaan mentioned that the University will help him show his skills and in turn he will help UST to recover as well. 

Before he played for Zobel, Baclaan also starred with the San Sebastian Staglets which he helped capture the MILCU Under-19 crown by scoring 23 points in their finals match-up against La Salle Greenhills last March 2019. 

The 18-year-old player thinks that the system of UST fits him well, “Like I said, dinala ko yung talent na meron ako, kung saan ma f-fit yung laro ko, siguro sa system ni Coach Jinino ko malalaro yung laro ko.”

Kean joins the likes of Jordi Gomez De Liaño, LA Cansinillo and Royce Mantua whose news of commitment with the Tigers broke out over the last few days. 

Prior to playing as a member of the España-based basketball squad in Season 85 of the UAAP, Baclaan will first enter UST-SHS and will eventually join the practices of UST’s Men’s Basketball Team. 

The 5-foot-8 guard averaged a little over 16 points, 8 rebound and 3 assists per game in his last stint with DLSZ Junior Archers just before the pandemic halted basketball leagues in the country. 

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The UST Growling Tigers continue to complete their deck as former head coach Aldin Ayo’s recruit L.A Casinillo is back again in España. 

6-foot- 2 gunner L.A Casinillo will soon step foot in the UAAP arena to recommence the mayhem once more under the new head coach Jinino Manansala.

“I know I am in good hands,” Casinillo said in an interview with TomasinoWeb on why he still chose UST despite the past controversies that the men’s basketball team faced.

Casinillo is still eager to play under the established program of coach Ayo for the Growling Tigers as he trusts the routine of coach Manansala.

“I am looking forward to meet my new teammates and coaches, and play with them,” Casinillo added. 

L.A used to play shooting guard and small forward back in his Senior High School days in Ateneo De Cebu and is set to play a new position as a point guard in UST. 

“The challenges I foresee would probably be adjusting a little bit… But due to my training(s) with my dad, I feel as if I can adjust easily and I will be ready for the role.” he said. 

Casinillo trains together with his father in the United Kingdom, who is also part of the coaching staff of the Tiger Cubs. 

“I believe that I have improved, but I cannot say that I am really good because I am sure my teammates and my opponents have worked as well.” L.A added. 

With Cansinillo and new players on the train, the UST Men’s Basketball Team might give an unexpected run in UAAP Season 84 as they drive their way into the Final Four.

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