DESPITE MISSING out on the UAAP championship, Nic Cabañero and Collins Akowe became the first Growling Tiger pair in a decade to be named together to the Elite Team during the Season 88 men’s basketball individual awarding ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The last time UST fielded two players in the Mythical Five selection was in Season 78, when the dynamic duo of Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag led the España squad to the finals.
Ferrer and Daquioag spearheaded the Tigers’ offense, averaging 17.9 and 16.4 points, respectively. Rounding out that season’s top five were Season MVP Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo, DLSU’s Jeron Teng and NU’s Alfred Aroga.
This season, Akowe and Cabañero are joined by DLSU’s Mike Phillips, NU’s Jake Figueroa and Season 88 MVP Janrey Pasaol of FEU.
Formerly known as the Mythical Team, the selection recognizes the five best players of the elimination round based on statistical points.
In a similar fashion, the 19-year-old Akowe became the first Tiger to take home Rookie of the Year honors since Mark Nonoy in Season 82.
“I would say it’s an addition… My goal was to bring a championship back to UST,” Akowe told The Flame.
“I’m happy, but the job is not done. I still have room for improvement,” the 6-foot-10 center added.
In his first season at the collegiate level, the Nigerian big man posted averages of 16.4 points, 14.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, collecting 79.28 statistical points as UST marched to its second straight Final Four appearance.
Before committing to the Tigers’ lair, Akowe was crowned MVP and the inaugural Best Foreign Student-Athlete in his two-year stint with the NUNS Bullpups.
Despite falling to the UP Fighting Maroons for the second straight season, Akowe credited outgoing co-captains Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao for their mentorship throughout the season.
“I learned a lot from them, I’m gonna miss those guys… their leadership was top notch,” Akowe told The Flame after UST’s 82-81 loss against UP last Dec. 3.
Meanwhile, Cabañero earned his second consecutive Elite Team nod to close his final UAAP campaign, registering 66.6 statistical points to guide the Tigers to an 8-6 slate.
After spending five years playing for UST, Cabañero hopes to leave a legacy of inspiration for the younger core of Tigers moving forward.
“Being a leader is a different thing… They got next already, I won’t be here anymore,” Cabañero said.
“I hope that winning individual awards won’t just be their goal, but to be in the championship as well,” he added.
The King Tiger wrapped up his final year in the UAAP with 16.79 points, six rebounds and 2.5 assists. F
