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SLAM Rising Stars: Hubert Cani

The Rise of Hubert Cani

SLAM Rising Stars: Hubert Cani from Gia Jamias on Vimeo.

Name: Hubert Cani

Height: 5’11″

Weight: 155 lbs.

Age: 18

High School: National University

Committed to: Undecided between ADMU or DLSU. But leaning towards Ateneo.

Achievements/Awards won: 2007-08 Cavite Provincial Meet MVP, 2007-08 Palarong Pambansa Player Region 4A, 2009-10 RP Youth U-13 Member, 2010 Jr. NBA MVP, 2010 NBTC Region 4A-4B Mythical 5, 2011 RP Youth U-16 SEABA Champion, 2012 RP Youth U-18 SEABA Champion, UAAP Season 76 Mythical 5, UAAP Season 76 Finals MVP

Pre-game ritual: Sleeps early the night before a game and prays. On superstition, when Hubert plays a good game, he’ll wear the same pair of kicks and same pair of socks on the next game. Don’t worry. The socks get laundered.

Song on repeat (for gameday): Puso by Spongecola

In-game kicks: Kobe 8 or Hyperdunk

Post-game kicks: Roshe Run and Janoski

Seniors ready: Definitely.

There are many factors that can make you say a player is ready for the bigger stage or not. In Hubert’s case, it’s his basketball IQ that shoots right out of the building. No doubt about it; if that was the basis, he could’ve played in the seniors in his last year in HS. Watching him in the UAAP last season, I got really impressed with how he made the right play almost every single time. His smarts and court vision is spectacular.

If he does go to Ateneo and teams up with the likes of Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Jerie Pingoy and Arvin Tolentino, it’ll make his and everyone else’s job much easier. The Eagles could use a guy who would much rather locate his open teammate than create a shot for himself.

Needs work on: Kailangan ko improve ‘yung defense ko.”

On offense, you’ll easily be impressed with Cani. However, it’s a completely different story on D. There’s a lot of gym time to be put on his lateral movement, speed, and agility.

In his position, he’ll have to go up against a lot explosive guards. Think Roi Sumang. Right now, if Sumang takes Cani on isolation, expect him to blow by Hubert with ease.

This is the one thing I’d like to see this NU Bullpup improve the most. Because if not, other teams will go right at him and exploit this weakness.

Projection: LA Tenorio-type player.

Bold projection, I know. But truth be told, Cani has the potential to become something like what Tenorio was in college and is in the pros. The foundation of LA’s game is his basketball IQ. Even in college, that’s what that stood out in his game. And we’ve established already that it’s also Cani’s strong point.

If he does join Ateneo, he’ll probably play back-up to Pingoy. If he goes to La Salle, there’s a chance he might start ahead of Thomas Torres. Either way, he’ll surely see some minutes. There’s a lot of potential in this youngin already. All that needs to be done is extract it and add whatever needs to be added.

Hubert Cani might play a minor role in his first couple of years in the seniors. But he’s got what it takes to eventually rise to stardom and become a household name.

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