JD Cagulangan made a triumphant return in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament – helping University of the Philippines to an 83-73 victory over University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Besides contributing nine points, four assists and two steals for the Fighting Maroons, the game was notable for the Season 84 champion being seen drawing a play for his teammates during their clash against the Growling Tigers with assistant coach Christian Luanzon looking on from behind.
Despite the interesting sight, Cagulangan shrugged it off by saying that it was just his way of helping his team improve its record to 7-1.
“Nagkaroon kami ng adjustments. Since wala kaming timeout, hiningi ko lang yung board at nagkaintindihan naman kami,” he said. “Masaya (ako) kasi masarap makatulong sa team at panalo pa kami.”
During Cagulangan’s absence, the Fighting Maroons folded 68-56 against defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers last Sunday.
It was doubly disappointing for UP’s veteran as he missed out on a big game, but he always had faith in his teammates who took the cudgels without him.
“Hindi naman sa ganun. May tiwala ako sa teammates ko. Siguro ano lang, more on sayang kasi nag-prepare ako for that game. Yun pala di pala ako makakalaro kasi masakit pa rin katawan ko. Let’s see kung ano mangyari sa second round,” said the former La Salle Green Hills standout.
Seeing Cagulangan brought into the game deep in the first quarter led to cheers from the Fighting Maroons’ supporters in the venue. For Coach Goldwin Monteverde, it was also a satisfying moment to see since his young standout has such a vital role in the team.
“JD, sa amin, siyempre yung impact niya malaki. Malaki ang impact ni JD for the team, yung leadership niya and having him back… Siyempre happy kaming lahat na nakabalik na siya,” said Monteverde.
“Siyempre we would always want yung teammate mo to be able to play, to be able to express himself sa game. Yung tulong niya sa amin, siguro sa amin as a team we’re very happy na nakabalik siya.”
Right now, Cagulangan is understandably fully focused on helping UP regain the championship. After that, he will definitely seek a fulfilling professional career here or abroad.
However, being a coach has crossed his mind, and it’s about being given the opportunity down the line to prove himself.
“Yes pero kung hindi para sa akin, bakit natin pipilitin? Tignan natin pag mabigyan ng chance lang,” he said.
