Back Home, New Chapter: Nic Cabanero Embraces Life In the MPBL as he Eyes the Next Level
The cheers weren’t for Nic Cabanero this time.
For years, the former University of Santo Tomas star had become one of the most recognizable names in Philippine collegiate basketball, drawing loud fan reception whenever he played. But when he stepped onto the floor at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City wearing the colors of Biñan Tatak Gel against the hometown Cebu Greats in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), the reception was a little different: The Cebuano crowd booed him.
Ironically, they were booing one of their own.
Growing up in Lapu-Lapu City and having spent his young basketball journey with the University of San Carlos in Cebu before making his name in Manila, Cabanero has long carried his hometown close to his heart. His connection to the Visayas runs even deeper through his father, who traces his roots from Inabanga, Bohol.
For one night, however, hometown ties were temporarily set aside. The people were rooting for their home team Cebu Greats, while Cabanero wanted Biñan to win.
And after the final buzzer sounded, it was the visitors who walked away victorious.
“It feels great,” Cabanero said after the game. “Alam ko naman na gusto nila na manalo ang Cebu. Actually bi-noo nga ako eh. Taga-dito ako pero nag-boo ang mga sarili kong kababayan.”
He couldn’t help but shrug it off. “But it doesn’t matter. A game is a game and what’s important to us is we won the game.” It was a genuine moment in a competitive setting, and one that perfectly captured where Cabanero now finds himself. His jerseys have changed, the opposition are a level higher, and the expectations and stakes have increased.
Yet the dream remains exactly the same.
Leaving College Behind
Few players entered the MPBL with the reputation that Cabanero carried.
At UST, he was the Tigers’ main offensive centerpiece. Cabanero routinely carried the scoring load, emerging as one of the UAAP’s most prolific guards. Opposing defenses game-planned specifically for him, and every night he embraced the responsibility of being his team’s first option.
Now, the challenge is different.
Professional basketball asks different questions from its younger players. The game is faster in its decision-making, catering to more offensive options, more physical on every possession, and is laden by veterans who have already seen various offensive and defensive coverages. For Cabanero, adapting has become the biggest lesson of his rookie professional season.
“Actually same lang siya in terms of andun yung pride, pag-represent ng team and ng school,” he said. “Pero nag-a-adapt lang ako kasi different yung playstyle ng pros eh.”
Despite moving from the collegiate ranks to professional basketball, he says the mentality remains largely unchanged. Represent the name on the front of the jersey, compete in every possession, and do whatever it takes to win. That competitive fire, he believes, has helped ease his transition.
“I’m grateful lang din sa Binan team, and thank you sa MPBL for the opportunity to play here in my hometown in Cebu.”
He also hopes his journey becomes an example for fellow Visayan players hoping to carve out their own professional careers.
“I do hope soon, especially for Cebuanos, makalaro din sila sa MPBL.”
Finding his Place Among the Pros
Many young players entering professional basketball spend their first seasons learning from the bench. Cabanero’s situation has been different.
Although he’s a rookie in the pro ranks, Biñan has already entrusted him with significant offensive responsibilities – a role just like the one he held throughout his UST career.
The confidence shown by his coaches and teammates has allowed him to play freely despite the jump in competition.
“I’m grateful sa team ko dito sa Binan, kasi yung mga teammates ko – yung mga former PBA players – sila ang nagpu-push sakin to be the main guy sa team namin.”
Marc Pingris, a PBA veteran of 16 years, spoke highly of Cabanero.
“Para sakin hindi na to rookie eh, beterano na to eh. At ready na siya sa PBA. Masasabi ko na hinog na siya, naniniwala ako na malayo ang mararating niya.”
Having veteran teammates believe in him has accelerated his confidence, but Cabanero insists he doesn’t dwell too much on labels like “first option.” Instead, he simply wants to continue playing the game the way he always has.
“Pero hindi ko yan iniisip masyado. Instead I am embracing it na same pa rin yung laruan ko kung ano ako nung college ako with UST.”
Still, he recognizes that succeeding against professionals requires constant adjustments.
“Different story here with the pros kasi mas better ang competition dito eh.”
Every game now comes against players who have spent years refining their craft – former PBA veterans, seasoned MPBL stars, and players who understand the physical demands of professional basketball. The pace is different, the reads happen faster, and every possession becomes another lesson.
Fortunately for Cabanero, he isn’t learning alone.
“Nag-a-adjust ako but I am grateful with all the help of my coaches and teammates.” The learning curve may be steep, but it’s exactly the kind of challenge he hoped for after concluding his collegiate career.
The MPBL as a Proving Ground
The MPBL has evolved into much more than a regional basketball league. The league has become a destination for players, offering opportunities for standouts to continue developing against experienced competition while remaining visible to scouts from higher professional leagues. For Cabanero, that’s one of the biggest values the MPBL provides.
Former collegiate stars, ex-PBA veterans, and rising prospects all compete under one league, creating an environment where every performance carries weight and value. Cabanero understands exactly what the league represents.
“Grateful lang din ako sa MPBL kasi malaking exposure ‘to especially sa mga players na gustong mag-PBA and international.”
Every strong performance becomes another opportunity to impress scouts. Every matchup against experienced professionals becomes preparation for the next level.
For players hoping to reach the PBA – or perhaps even overseas leagues in Japan, Korea, or elsewhere in Asia – the MPBL has helped them in being a place to sharpen their game.
Now, Cabanero has been named an all-star starter for the league’s annual all-star game for the south all-stars, a feat he has deserved after his incredible play so far in the pros. This, alongside him opening more doors of opportunity along the way like securing brand deals with Adidas, has helped hone his game on and off the court as he aims for the next level.
Eyes on Bigger Stages
Even before graduating from the collegiate ranks, Cabanero’s name had already surfaced in conversations involving overseas basketball.
Some reports in the past have linked him to interest from teams in Japan’s B.League and South Korea’s KBL, a reflection of the scoring talent he displayed throughout his UAAP career.
Asked about those possibilities, Cabanero made one thing clear. If an opportunity presents itself, he won’t hesitate.
“If meron opportunity maglaro internationally, I will grab it.”
It’s the kind of mindset shared by many of today’s young Filipino star players. With Asian leagues continuing to expand and embrace Filipino talent, overseas basketball has become a realistic destination rather than a distant dream.
Yet despite those opportunities abroad, Cabanero says another dream continues to hold special significance.
“Pero at the same time, maganda rin talaga mag-represent dito sa PBA and sa country, na maglaro dito.”
For generations of Filipino basketball players, hearing their names called on PBA Draft night remains one of the sport’s defining milestones. It’s a dream Cabanero has carried for his basketball career.
And while the future remains unwritten, the former Tiger confirmed that declaring for next year’s draft remains firmly part of his plans.
“If ever meron yung draft next year, I will do my best to get drafted kasi yun naman talaga goal ng lahat ng mga basketball players, ang ma-draft.”
For more exclusive basketball stories and updates, click here.
