The FEU Tamaraws asserted their might against Gilas Pilipinas Youth at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, cruising to an 83-58 victory. This victory was notable due to the debut of the much-hyped Cabs Cabonilas, who won over head coach Sean Chambers after just one game.
Cabonilas’ Transition to the 3
After posting 9 points, 9 rebounds, an assist, and a steal, Chambers noted that the team is working to transition Cabonilas into the three—or small forward—position in college. It’s a role unfamiliar to him, as he primarily played power forward during his high school days.
“A lot of the high school season, he played with his back to the basket, which is the No. 4 position. So today, he was purely the 3-guard. I feel that’s going to take him to the next level,” said the third-year FEU head coach.
“If we can get him as the 3-guard, you know, sky’s the limit when he becomes a professional,” Chambers added.
Prior to making his seniors debut, Cabonilas had already built a successful résumé with the green and gold, helping the FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws win back-to-back high school titles, as well as capturing both the regular season and Finals MVP awards in his final year.
“Sa akin, okay lang naman kasi gawin ko lang yung dapat, karapat-dapat sa akin, saka gawin ko lang yung best ko. Sipagan ko lang lagi,” Cabonilas said, reflecting on how he is adjusting to his new role as FEU prepares for UAAP Season 89.
Vergel Meneses and Kenneth Duremdes Comparison
Chambers then went a step further, comparing Cabonilas to PBA legends Vergel Meneses and Kenneth Duremdes.
“I do have a question—I don’t know if you’ve ever heard the name Vergel Meneses? Heard that name? He was actually my favorite non-Alaska player,” said the 1996 PBA Best Import. “And that’s what I see in him—Vergel in his heyday, like Kenneth Duremdes in a sense.”
Meneses, nicknamed “The Aerial Voyager,” carved out a legendary PBA career. He was a three-time champion, the 1995 MVP, a three-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, and an 11-time All-Star.
Duremdes, known as “Captain Marbel,” also enjoyed a colorful 13-year career in the PBA. He was a six-time champion, the 1998 MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, and one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players.
Cabonilas has gotten high praise, all right. Whether he meets—or even exceeds—expectations is another matter altogether.
