Christian Manaytay and Nic Cabañero headed to the UST Growling Tigers bench throughout a UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball recreation. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines—Christian Manaytay and Nic Cabañero have been with the College of Santo Tomas by way of a few of the worst instances in current historical past.
The guard-big duo donned the Growling Tigers jersey throughout the squad’s abysmal previous seasons when wins have been scarce and much aside.
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Now, within the UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball event, UST is off to its greatest begin in fairly some time with a 3-1 card.
And shock, shock… Cabañero and Manaytay are nonetheless within the Tigers’ den.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
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“It’s overwhelming,” mentioned an exhausted Manaytay after serving to UST squeak previous Nationwide College, 67-64, at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
“I’m glad as a result of, coming from earlier years, we stored on shedding and it felt like we have been shedding our profitable tradition. I do know we’ll go someplace this season.”
Manaytay performed true to his function—a veteran massive—with 14 factors, 5 rebounds plus three assists to assist UST achieve its winningest begin since Season 82.
Season 82 was fairly international to Manaytay and Cabañero. In any case, it was throughout the time of former coach Aldin Ayo and stars Rhenz Abando, Mark Nonoy, CJ Cansino and Soulemane Chabi-Yo, to call a number of.
READ: UAAP: UST loss to Adamson a ‘wake-up name,’ says Nic Cabañero
A number of mishaps, controversies and revamps later, UST ushered in a brand new age–this time with rookies Cabañero and Manaytay.
However what was predicted as a brand new begin fizzled into nothing as UST entered a darkish period with the sudden departure of its stars and Manaytay and Cabañero have been caught smack-dab in the midst of all of it.
“Earlier than, I even felt like I didn’t wish to play anymore,” bared Manaytay, nonetheless making an attempt to catch his breath from an intense affair with the Bulldogs.
“We stored on shedding however now, I consider we now have an opportunity.”
By ‘ECQ’ and again
Nic Cabañero helps UST Growling Tigers previous NU Bulldogs within the within the UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball event. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
“So far as I keep in mind, means again after Season 84, we considered staying or leaving. I didn’t inform him straight, however I believed we should always keep as a result of we’ll be main this staff,” revealed Cabañero following one other candy night time from the sphere in NU’s win over UST.
From UAAP Seasons 84 to 86, the as soon as mighty Tigers simply tallied six measly wins.
However after three seasons filled with heartbreak, the staff acquired fairly the turnaround–not simply with the arrival of Pido Jarencio, but additionally with assist of the San Miguel company and its a number of recruits, most notably former Ateneo standout Forthsky Padrigao.
READ: UAAP: UST Tigers–not sporting buzz cuts–are buzzing
“We’re nearing the top of our enjoying years so it’s a giant factor for us to develop with this faculty program [with SMC]. It’s going to assist us develop into the skilled degree,” mentioned Cabañero, who dropped 10 factors and 5 rebounds on Saturday’s particular.
Manaytay and Cabañero’s bond goes deeper than UST’s consecutive shedding seasons.
Through the bubble, when UST slowly crumbled because of the “Sorsogon bubble” fiasco, the duo served their residency in Manila throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ: New UST star Forthsky Padrigao is a degree—not factors—guard
So from shedding video games to being caught because of a pandemic, Manaytay and Cabañero have been by way of hell and again.
“I’ve been with Christian even throughout the ECQ (Enhanced neighborhood quarantine) right here in Manila and our bond collectively is simply there,” mentioned Cabañero. “We quarrel generally however deep inside, I do know Christian is there for me at all times, similar as me who’s at all times there for him.”