‘Phenomenal': FEU rookie Cabonilas impresses in UAAP seniors debut

MANILA, Philippines -- As good as advertised. 

Cabs Cabonilas showed out in his first UAAP seniors’ game, shining bright in Far Eastern University’s narrow loss against the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the Season 89 opener Sunday. 

In his first UAAP seniors’ game, the former UAAP juniors’ Most Valuable Player and Finals Most Valuable Player for the Baby Tamaraws had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench. 

He scored all seven points of FEU in the fourth quarter, but the Tamaraws fell against Adamson, 56-53, in come-from-behind fashion. 

FEU head coach Sean Chambers, after the game, said the “phenomenal” Cabonilas is “a future star” of the country. 

“Cabs was phenomenal. And I felt he was the only one that played freely and that's who Cab is. So we have to make sure that we bounce back next game. So we don't want him to feel that anxiety of trying to do it all,” he said. 

“So he played freely, he got great offensive rebounds, he had putbacks,” he added. 

“Cab is really a future star of the Philippines. Not only in this league, but in the Philippines.” 

With Adamson streaking with a 15-0 run that pushed them ahead, 48-46, it was Cabonilas who broke the blitz with a putback to tie it up at 48-all. 

A pair of Ray Allen Torres gave the Falcons the lead anew, 50-48, before Cabonilas punched in a triple to hand the Tamaraws the lead, 51-50. 

And while he tried to keep FEU in step, Mat Edding and Matty Erolon put the finishing touches in the come-from-behind win. 

Chambers added that he did not think Cabonilas played like a rookie, although there are still some lessons to be learned in playing as a small forward. 

“I thought some of our other guys played a little tight because of the expectations. But Cab played extremely well,” he said. 

“Only thing, he's still learning some of the things we do in playing at the wing. If you know in high school, he played the four position. So we're moving him to advance his game because I ultimately want Cab to be the best professional possible,” he added. 

“So we moved him to the three’s position and that's where he's playing. And that's where he's, you know, he's learning how to play that role there.” 

For his part, Cabonilas said he merely did what the coaches asked him to do. 

“Sa fourth quarter hindi ko akalain yun kasi ginagawa ko rin yung role ko. Kung ano yung role ko, may tiwala naman ako sa mga teammates ko. Kung anong pinapagawa lang, gagawin ko lang, rebound or whatever,” he said.

abtestabtest PHILTA awaits WTA decision By Joaquin Henson | 10 hours ago No penalty nor fine has so far been levied on World No. 18 Alex Eala by WTA for declining to participate in the China Open,... Sports Twin crown for Castilo in Challenge Cup 10 hours ago Gelita Castilo completed a dream weekend by claiming two titles in the women’s and mixed doubles 30-and-above divisions... Sports Top-ranked Rybakina wins US Open 10 hours ago Elena Rybakina denied Aryna Sabalenka a third straight US Open title on Saturday, punctuating her rise to world number one... Sports Castilo takes spotlight 1 day ago Gelita Castilo completed a busy day by advancing in both the mixed doubles and women’s doubles 30-and-above playoffs... Sports Clar, Ramos reign 2 days ago Shan Clar and Susmita Ramos emerged as the men’s and women’s singles open champions of the 2026 MIA Badminton... Sports Latest More in Sports Zverev repels Shelton to win US Open title Gilas faces great wall Blazers tame Lions in NCAA opening stunner Champ Archers escape Bulldogs abtest Samal ready for 5150 Islands Series finale 10 hours ago Champions will be crowned on Sept. 20 as the inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series culminates on Samal Island, where athletes will face the final test of a four-leg endurance challenge spanning... Sports Girls from General Santos City find hope in volleyball By Joey Villar | 10 hours ago Volleyball, like any other sports, gives hope to some who are dreaming big dreams. Sports USA seals duel with France 10 hours ago Breanna Stewart scored 16 points to lead the United States as the Americans advanced to the gold medal game of the FIBA World Cup with a 76-66 win over Spain in Berlin on Saturday. Sports Nnoruka, UP begin post-'Maroon5' era with win over UST By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 13 hours ago The new-look University of the Philippines heralded the new era with a win, slaying the University of Santo Tomas Growling... Sports Blazers do fine sans Liwag, stun Lions By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 15 hours ago No Allen Liwag, no problem.  Sports Recommended New witnesses on Taguig infrastructure projects surface – Lacson 10 hours ago New witnesses have approached the Office of the Ombudsman to detail the delivery of “boxes of money” tied to anomalous... SportsOMBUDSMANWITNESSES Obstruction raps eyed over Bato’s escape 10 hours ago The National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman are investigating a possible obstruction of justice complaint... SportsLAW AMLC to confirm P6.7 billion bank transactions of VP, Mans? 10 hours ago The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is expected to present to the Senate impeachment court today its report on the P6.7... SportsIMPEACHMENT ‘Biased impeach vote likely for absent senator-judges’ 10 hours ago Senator-judges who missed the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte might end up voting based solely... SportsIMPEACHMENT Sara Duterte's call for Marcos to resign 'self-serving,' says prosecutor 16 hours ago House prosecutor says VP herself would benefit if Marcos steps down. SportsBONGBONG MARCOSSARA DUTERTESARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT next Recommended New witnesses on Taguig infrastructure projects surface – Lacson New witnesses have approached the Office of the Ombudsman to detail the delivery of “boxes of money” tied to anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday, a day after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano returned home from Singapore. 10 hours ago OMBUDSMAN WITNESSES Obstruction raps eyed over Bato’s escape The National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman are investigating a possible obstruction of justice complaint over the escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from the Senate, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said over the weekend. 10 hours ago LAW AMLC to confirm P6.7 billion bank transactions of VP, Mans? The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is expected to present to the Senate impeachment court today its report on the P6.7 billion in transactions linked to the bank accounts of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio under Article II of the impeachment, on unexplained wealth. 10 hours ago IMPEACHMENT ‘Biased impeach vote likely for absent senator-judges’ Senator-judges who missed the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte might end up voting based solely on political persuasion or alliances, Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned yesterday, questioning how absent members can make an informed decision to convict or acquit the impeached official. 10 hours ago IMPEACHMENT Sara Duterte's call for Marcos to resign 'self-serving,' says prosecutor House prosecutor says VP herself would benefit if Marcos steps down. 16 hours ago BONGBONG MARCOS SARA DUTERTE SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!