MANILA, Philippines – Kean Baclaan and Nic Cabañero each showed off their wares at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, October 9, as UST took on NU at the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.

Unfortunately for fans of the young Growling Tigers, these standout performances happened on opposite sides of the court as Baclaan, who stirred up controversy following his late transfer to the Bulldogs, led NU’s 69-63 win with a career-high 16 points plus 7 assists and 4 steals.

Cabañero, who starred for UST with a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, said his former teammate’s shifting of alliances was now nothing but water under the bridge after their first showdown against each other.

“We know Kean is really good, he’s just my age. We have no hard feelings as it’s his decision to transfer from UST to NU,” he said in Filipino.

“For us, from the day that news broke, we just moved forward to train and maximize the players we have left.”

Baclaan – once proudly paraded by the Tigers in their preseason tournaments just two months before Season 85 – likewise said that his first game facing his old squad was just like any other.

“I just played my game. I didn’t think that I was playing against my former teammates. I just really focused on the game because we really needed to win,” he said in Filipino. “We just kept our focus on bouncing back because we had a horrible game last time [against Ateneo.]

“As coach Jeff [Napa] said, I didn’t think of getting my shots. He said to not look for them as they will come naturally. I’m really happy that we got the win.”

Baclaan and Cabañero, both just 19 years old, have their entire careers ahead of them, mostly as adversaries for now.

Thankfully, only healthy competition remains in store between the two star prospects, as both are moving on without any grudges weighing them down. – Rappler.com

Must Read

Kean Baclaan eager to prove worth to NU, puts UST transfer in rearview mirror