Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Cabahug: smallest Lancer, UV’s biggest fan
THE University of the Visayas Green Lancers is known to never run out of good players as it has a pool of young, talented cagers, who are just waiting for their turn to go to war.
At a glance, one might think that UV has overdone it as a young boy gets to tag along the UV Green Lancers squad all throughout this season.
Hidden behind the UV giants is a 10-year-old boy, who has become a permanent fixture in every UV game. He is Eduard Matthew Cabahug, who could probably be mistaken as the youngest member of the UV coaching staff.
The son of UV head coach Elmer Boy Cabahug, Eduard, comes to every single game, looking every inch like a member of the coaching staff and every inch like his dad.
“I want to become a basketball player just like my dad,” said Eduard after Game 3 of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Monday night, where UV lost to University of San Jose Recoletos.
Donning the same uniform as that of the coaches—a green polo shirt with the Lancers logo on the sleeve—Eduard said he was saddened by the loss of his dad’s team, clearly showing that the green shirt is not the only thing he shares with his dad.
Coach Cabahug said his son has the same passion for the sport and the team as him and was just as affected as the rest of the Lancers when they lost. “He was so sad after the loss because he said he prayed hard. But I had to console him and explained to him that God decided to answer USJR’s prayers this time,” his father said.
Eduard is always seen sitting over at the UV bench or on a small bench during games, silently praying when the game gets too close, joining huddles during timeouts. He complains when he feels there is a questionable call and gets sad when they lose. “I pray because I don’t want UV to lose,” Eduard said.
Eduard also harnesses his basketball and coaching skills early and does this by practicing with the Green Lancers everyday and event gives his dad suggestions.
“He writes notes about what he thinks about the game in the white board at home. He also leaves me notes, telling me that I should win,” said coach Cabahug.
Other boys his age could only dream of playing with college ball players, but Eduard is already living it to give his dream of becoming a huge basketball star a major boost. (MCB)
