FEU-D camp showers praise for HS star Cabs Cabonilas: 'Talagang MVP'

In Far Eastern University-Diliman’s victory against National University-Nazareth School, forward Cabs Cabonilas had his crowning performance as the new UAAP Boys Most Valuable Player (MVP).

With Game One of the finals hanging in the balance, Cabonilas took it upon himself to give FEU-D a much needed cushion, sinking in a booming triple with 15 seconds left on the clock.

Officially vested with the top individual award last Sunday, the six-foot-five forward focused more on his team’s overall efforts rather than his own heroics in the clutch.

“Magandang laban kanina kasi maganda binigay ng NU sa depensa. Medyo nawala kami sa focus kanina sa first at saka second [quarters], pero sa third at fourth bumawi kami. Bumawi kami lahat,” said Cabonilas.

(It was a good match because NU did really well on defense. We lost focus in the first and second quarters but in the third and fourth, we bounced back. We all played better.)

Not just an offensive threat, the lanky stretch forward also clamped down on the defensive side of the ball, blocking a three-point attempt by NUNS’ Shaun Lucido and denying any possibility of a Bullpups comeback.

FEU-D’s marquee player ultimately finished the contest with 19 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.

Also ranked as the number one high school player in the country by the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), Baby Tamaraws head coach Mike Reyes said that he is still left in awe every time Cabonilas performs at his best.

READ MORE | Cabs Cabonilas, Maco Dabao, Mark Esperanza, Sean Franco headline 2026 NBTC 24 list

“Alam kong darating, pero nagugulat pa rin ako. He takes the shot, [but] bigla siya kukuha. And ang layo niya [sa depensa], pero aabutin pa niya, still challenges a shot,” said Reyes after Cabonilas’ heroics in game one of the finals.

(I know what’s coming, but I’m surprised every time. He takes the shot, he’ll still be the one to grab it. He’ll be too far on defense, but he’ll find a way to get there, still challenges a shot.)

FEU-D guard and fellow starter Khean Esperanza had similar sentiments with their mentor in regard to Cabonilas’ impact on the team.

“Talagang MVP. Walang halong biro. Sobrang sipag sa determination niya, sa training, talagang wala [akong] masabi. Hands up talaga kay Cabs,” asserted Esperanza

(He’s really the MVP. No joke. He is so hardworking, his determination, I’m speechless. Hands up to Cabs.)

Ultimately however, despite a day full of success, the reigning MVP has his sights set on the prize that has eluded him and FEU-D these past couple of years: the Boys Basketball championship.

“Wala na, hindi na namin iisipin yung laro namin yesterday. Prepare [na] kami sa Thursday for game two.”

(No more, we aren’t thinking about yesterday’s game. We’ll prepare for Thursday for game two.)

—JMB, GMA Integrated News