JD Cagulangan came full circle on Sunday as he led the University of the Philippines to the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball title.
Cagulangan once again led the Fighting Maroons to deliver its second title in four seasons.
In Game 3, Cagulangan had 12 points, four assists, three steals, and two rebounds as UP defeated De La Salle University, 66-62.
“Wala akong masabi kundi thank you. Sobrang happy ko na napunta ako sa programang ito. Winelcome nila ako nang maayos at deserve ng UP na manalo this season,” Cagulangan, who was named as Finals MVP, said.
[I’m speechless except to say thank you. I’m so happy I was able to join this program. They welcomed me and UP deserves to win this season.]
It was a fitting end to Cagulangan’s collegiate career.
Two years ago, Cagulangan delivered the game-winner to end the Fighting Maroons’ title drought.
Now, he will leave UP as one of its best players.
“Gusto ko mag-thank you kay Coach Gold [Monteverde]. Nagtiwala siya. ‘Di niya man ako naging player, pero ‘yung tiwala niya nandoon,” he added.
[I want to say thank you to Coach Gold. He trusted me. Even if I wasn’t his player from before, but his trust was there.]
Monteverde, back in his time as National University Nazareth School coach in the juniors ranks, had the likes of Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda who eventually played for UP. Even De La Salle University’s Kevin Quiambao played for Monteverde back in high school.
Cagulangan was not one of Monteverde’s high school players, coming from La Salle Green Hills where he also led the Greenies to a championship in NCAA Season 93. He joined La Salle where he suited up for one year before eventually finding his home in Diliman.
Cagulangan said last season’s loss against La Salle and the previous one against Ateneo de Manila University fueled the fire for the Fighting Maroons’ redemption journey.
“‘Yung papasok nung January, kinausap ko ‘yung teammates ko. Sabi ko lang sa kanila. huwag nating kalimutan ‘yung pagkatalo natin nung dalawang nakaraang season pero alalahanin natin ‘yung mga pagkakamali natin. Sabi ko lang, enjoy the process. Alam naming mahaba pa noon, at marami kaming ups and downs,” Cagulangan said.
[When January came, I spoke to my teammates. I told them, let’s not forget our losses in the last two seasons and let’s remember our msitakes. I told them, enjoy the process. We knew it was going to be a long journey and there would be a lot of ups and downs.]
UP, eventually went nowhere but up.
In front of a crowd of more than 25,000 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Cagulangan was in tears as he sang ‘UP Naming Mahal’ for the last time in his collegiate career.
An emotional JD Cagulangan sings UP Naming Mahal for the last time in his collegiate career @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/4eZuXIRQHq
— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) December 15, 2024
As La Salle’s turn came, Cagulangan ran to the Green Archers’ side and sang the Alma Mater Hymn he had known since his high school days.
Then Cagulangan joins the Alma Mater song for his former team La Salle @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/QH9KnCpYqg
— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) December 15, 2024
It was the end of Cagulangan’s roller coaster collegiate journey.
“Sa buong UP community, thank you talaga. Wala akong masabi kasi nao-overwhelm ako sa suporta kahit saan kami magpunta, so thank you.”
[To the whole UP community, thank you. All I can say is I’m overwhelmed by the support wherever we went, so thank you.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
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