UAAP: Cabs Cabonilas proves vital for FEU as rookie season rolls on

Wasting no time in showcasing his budding potential in the seniors division, reigning UAAP high school season and finals Most Valuable Player Cabs Cabonilas is already staking his claim as one of the main protagonists for a stacked Far Eastern University squad.

Cabonilas’ new mentor, FEU head coach Sean Chambers, also acknowledges such, only declaring praises for the young cager after their win over De La Salle University last September 30.

“I think Kirby [Mongcopa] and Cabs are almost similar in what they can do skill-wise,” said Chambers after the forward tandem led the Tamaraws in scoring versus La Salle with 20 and 17 points each.

“These two can do some incredible things with the basketball, and their feel for the game is pretty amazing,” added the head coach.

A highly sought after player coming out of high-school ranks, Cabonilas is coming off a historic boys basketball campaign, averaging 24.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 2.0 steals in the finals to lead the Baby Tamaraws to a championship.

Only three games into his collegiate career, the six-foot-four swingman from Digos City is relieved to see the hours he put into improving his game bear early rewards.

“Hindi ko akalain na umabot sa ganyan,” Cabonilas told GMA News Online after his breakout performance against the defending champions.

(I never thought that it would reach this point.)

“Kasi mindset ko, depensa lang ako ng depensa [tsaka] box out. Kaya nga palaging nire-remind ni Coach Sean na box out…inuulit-ulit ko lang,” he added.

(Because my mindset [right now] is just to play defense and box out. That’s why Coach Sean always reminds me to box out…I just continue to repeat it.)

Also recently gaining experience internationally through the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup, Cabonilas asserted that he will continue applying the lessons he picked up to help the Tamaraws’ charge this year.

“Malaking experience doon sa World Cup kasi first time ko maglaro doon. Malalaki 'yung mga kalaban, matatangkad, lugi kami. Madami din akong natutunan kasi puro defense, puro mga ball movement. Bale ‘yung defense doon, inaano ko dito sa amin,” said Cabonilas.

(It was a huge experience for me in the World Cup because it was also my first time playing there. The opponents were big and tall, we were at a disadvantage. I learned a lot because it was a lot of defense and ball movement. The defense I got there, I try to apply it in the team.)

—JKC, GMA News