One of one: FEU-D star Cabs Cabonilas’ rise to No. 1

It was March 6, 2025, when Far Eastern University-Diliman faced De La Salle Zobel in their final elimination game of UAAP Season 87.

Budding prospect turned Mythical Team member Cabs Cabonilas was leading the Most Valuable Player race before that matchup, but slipped from the top spot after an all-around performance from eventual Season 87 boys’ basketball MVP Kieffer Alas.

Cabonilas, however, does not dwell on statistics. For him, individual accolades are merely by-products of a win-first, team-first mentality.

A year later, it was the same outlook that propelled the 19-year-old from Digos City into high school hoops history.

Cabonilas led the Baby Tamaraws to the top of the standings with an 11–3 record. Along the way, he averaged 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks, ultimately earning MVP honors.

After defeating Ateneo de Manila University in a grueling two-game stretch, which included a playoff for the second seed and a Final Four clash, what followed for Cabonilas in the finals against National University Nazareth School was nothing short of spectacular.

In the three games of the finals series, the six-foot-four swingman averaged a dominant 24.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 2.0 steals, while also spearheading a remarkable championship game comeback alongside teammate Khean Esperanza to be crowned Finals MVP

Cabonilas became the first high school player to win both major individual awards in the same season since statistics were officially recorded in 2002.

“Hindi ko na-expect na makuha ‘tong dalawang MVP. Kasi para sa akin trabaho lang ako. Alam 'yan ng mga coaches, mga teammates ko. Alam nila na ganun ako kasipag, [ang] puso ko kasi nasa FEU. Kaya ko ipinaglalaban sarili ko sa FEU,” Cabonilas told GMA News Online.

“Nakuha din namin 'yung panalo. Be humble pa rin, ano lang, parang sa outside masaya lang…wala na akong masabi kasi ginide lang ako ng Panginoon. Sa akin, sipag lang talaga at saka puso.”

Bringing FEU-D back to the mountaintop while collecting accolades along the way, Cabonilas may have had a near-perfect season. Still, the Baby Tamaraw emphasized that his success was rooted in the people behind him.

“Para sa pamilya ko, nasa malayo man sila, grabe 'yung suporta nila sa akin at hindi man sila nakapunta pero sabi ko sa sarili ko para sa kanila ‘to,” an emotional Cabonilas added.

After a demanding stretch, Cabonilas said he will take the next few weeks to recover while gradually weighing his options for college.

“Enjoy muna ako. Babakasyon muna, pahinga muna ako kasi parang sobrang pagod eh. Alam naman ng mga coaches yan. Pero pagbalik ko, sisipagan ko lang. Trabaho lang, trabaho ulit,” the forward said.

While he has yet to commit to a collegiate program, Cabonilas assured he will stay true to himself while continuing to work toward replicating his rise at the pinnacle of high school basketball.

“Sana ngayon nakita ng mga fans kung gaano magtrabaho si Cabs and humble lang. Kung paano niya tinutulungan 'yung mga team niya and coaches,” said the young player, who draws inspiration from Cholo Anonuevo and former UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News