 |
| After a stellar MPBL campaign, Nic Cabañero is now ready to take his act to the PBA. LA Arcin |
BIÑAN—Star swingman Nic Cabañero has now set his sights on Jan. 17.
The six-foot-three winger confirmed to Dugout Philippines on Friday night that he is now declaring for the PBA Draft after a stellar yet potentially one-and-done stint with Biñan in the MPBL.
"I'm applying for the draft. This Jan. 8 yung submission ng application," the former University of Santo Tomas King Tiger said.
Cabañero has been in the conversation as to whom NLEX will select first overall in the PBA Draft alongside Caloocan's Kymani Ladi and Abra's DJ Fenner.
However, Cabañero, one of the frontrunners for the MPBL MVP at this point, said that his 27-point explosion in Game 4 of the South Division Finals was not his final audition for the Road Warriors to draft him as the headliner of Batch 2027.
"Ang sa akin lang naman ay whatever team is willing to get me talaga, magamit ako or mag-benefit sa akin," he further said, adding that he will do his best to contribute to the club that would draft him.
He even downplayed recent mock drafts that put him ahead of Ladi at number one, saying, "Grateful ako for that, pero hindi pa naman kasi yan ang basis talaga for the PBA Draft. Ang basis talaga ay kung ano ang kailangan ng team."
Earlier mock drafts had Ladi at number one and Cabañero at number two, but the Tatak Gel's deep playoff run significantly influenced some publications to shake up their mock drafts.
However, that postseason stint came to a bitter end on Friday night when they fell to the Quezon Huskers at home and witnessed them take their third straight South Division pennant.
Despite an MPBL swan song that also saw him 14 rebounds, three assists, and one steal, he struggled again at the free-throw line, only making 3-for-6 after a dismal 4-for-12 in Game 3.
But none was more heartbreaking than his four turnovers, the last of which came right in Biñan's chance to possibly send Game 4 to overtime.
Cabañero slipped while trying to create space against Jolo Manansala, opening a chance for Cyrus Tabi to steal the ball and ice the game for Quezon with two free throws.
Cabañero still buried a buzzer-beating three, but it only put the losing margin to its closest.
"Unfortunately talaga, hindi kami pinalad to win the game, but ito talaga ang magiging lesson sa akin; ito ang magiging lesson sa team na mas titibayan pa nila next year," he further said.
Cabañero also liked how head coach Boyet Fernandez hugged him for still putting up a show instead of scolding him for the late turnover.
"Sabi niya sa akin na live and die talaga sa akin. He even told me na this experience will make you tougher and make you a better player and be more aggressive sa hinaharap ko," Cabañero shared what the former PBA champion coach told him post-game.
Although he has to wait two months for the draft and two more for the actual PBA season to start, Cabañero remains ecstatic about what lies ahead in his pro career.
"Excited lang ako on what's the future for Nic Cabañero," he further said, adding that he will cherish on this learning experience in the MPBL.
.jpg)
.jpg)
