NIC Cabañero finally got the support he badly wanted as University of Santo Tomas bested University of the East, 70-55, for a winning start in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cabañero, who led the Growling Tigers with 14 pointers, including a couple of 27-foot three-pointers in the first half, three rebounds and two assists, is so thankful that the burden the Cebu native endured in the past few seasons has seemed to be lessened with the newcomers.

Mali’s Mo Tounkara debuted with 13 points, four boards and two assists while Forthsky Padrigao, a transferee from Ateneo, orchestrated the offense well for UST with a game-high seven assists.

“Players want to win. They’re sharing the ball, they played as a group, saka ang importante ito team ko na ito eh, saka matagal na itong preparasyon namin kaya we’re ready. Mahabang season ito pero for sure, with the coaches that I have, we’ll be ready,” said Growling Tigers coach Pido Jarencio.

UST hopes to rebound from last season’s 2-12 record. The Growling Tigers have a combined six wins since 2022.

Bracing for its Wednesday showdown against defending champion La Salle, Adamson denied PBA legendary import Sean Chambers a triumphant debut, hacking out a 59-47 win over Far Eastern University.

Royce Mantua had 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals while Matt Montebon and Matty Erolon added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Falcons, who brushed off a seven-point first quarter.

“Not really surprised that we struggled today because going to the UAAP opening, the last couple of weeks we were struggling as a group,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela.

The Tamaraws, who had a 3-11 record last year, drew 14 points from Jorick Bautista.

Meanwhile, rookie Karylle Sierba had a scintillating debut with 18 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists as reigning women’s champion UST rout UE, 86-44, to set the tone for an España twinkill.

Despite the impressive victory, coach Haydee Ong stressed the need for the Tigresses to take better care of the ball in their next games after committing 25 turnovers.

“I think we have to correct our turnovers. Madami pa rin,” Ong said. “Baka may mga first-game jitters. We started very excited. It’s all unforced turnovers. Hopefully sa next games, medyo maremedyohan namin yung mga turnovers namin.”

Cheska Apag had 17 points while Kem Adeshina logged a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds as Adamson pounced on the absence of suspended FEU center Josie Kaputu to score a 76-63 win, spoiling the coaching debut of former UAAP two-time MVP Raiza Palmera-Dy.

“For us talaga first game is always the hardest game you’ll ever play in any tournament. There are some jitters, and excitement. Winning our first game, yun nga yung nakalagay sa dugout namin we want to make a statement on our first game,” said second-year Lady Falcons coach Ryan Monteclaro.

The scores

First Game (Women)

UST (86) – Sierba 18, Pastrana 15, Ambos 13, N. Danganan 7, Soriano 6, Tacatac 5, Santos 5, Relliquette 5, Bron 4, Maglupay 4, Pineda 2, Serrano 2, Dionisio 0, Pascador 0, Lopez 0, Amatong 0.
UE (44) – Lacayanga 11, Kone 8, Ronquillo 8, Ganade 6, Vacalares 6, Yanez 3, Buscar 2, Dublar 0, Ruiz 0, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 15-13, 41-24, 62-34, 86-44

Second Game (Women)

AdU (76) – Apag 17, Adeshina 10, Etang 9, Alogo 7, Angela Alaba 7, Padilla 6, Angeline Alaba 6, Meniano 5, Ornopia 4, Mazo 2, Bajo 2, Trabado 1, Limbago 0, Cortez 0, Santos 0, Manlimos 0.
FEU (63) – Nagma 14, Manguiat 13, Salvani 12, Pasilang 8, Paras 4, Lopez 3, Villanueva 3, Dela Torre 2, Libor 2, Ong 2.
Quarterscores: 12-14, 33-27, 54-44, 76-63

Third Game (Men)

UST (70) – Cabañero 14, Tounkara 13, Manaytay 10, Llemit 9, Padrigao 5, Pangilinan 5, Paranada 4, Crisostomo 4, Robinson 2, Lane 2, Acido 2, Laure 0, Mahmood 0, Estacip 0.
UE (55) – Momowei 12, Galang 11, Fikes 9, Wilson 9, Lingolingo 4, Abate 2, J. Cruz-Dumont 2, Mulingtapang 2, Malaga 2, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Go 0, Spandonis 0, Robles 0.
Quarterscores: 18-8, 36-29, 50-35, 70-55

Fourth Game (Men)

AdU (59) – Mantua 15, Montebon 11, Erolon 10, Ojarikre 6, Yerro 6, Manzano 4, Fransman 4, Ramos 2, Barasi 1, Anabo 0, Calisay 0, Alexander 0, Barcelona 0, Ignacio 0, Dignadice 0, Ronzone 0.
FEU (47) – Bautista 14, Pre 8, Añonuevo 5, Pasaol 5, Alforque 4, Daa 4, Nakai 3, Konateh 2, Ona 2, Bagunu 0.
Quarterscores: 7-14, 21-25, 39-35, 59-47.