The shot – JD Cagulangan’s first in UAAP Season 85 – looked familiar.
The University of the Philippines faithful knew what was coming. Ateneo de Manila University knew what was coming. The Mall of Asia Arena knew what was coming. Cagulangan knew what was coming.
Even Kai Balunggay – as he tried his best to contest – knew what was coming.
Eye on the prize. Rise. Launch. Three. And listen to this UP crowd roar!
“Sobrang sarap talaga sa feeling na makabalik. Nag-uusap nga kami ni coach Gold [Monteverde], tinatanong niya ako kung excited na akong maglaro,” exclaimed the 5-foot-9 primetime playmaker, who helped the Fighting Maroons come out on top of the Blue Eagles in their first meeting since last season’s finals.
“Siyempre, sagot ko, excited talaga. Sino ba namang ayaw? Sobrang sarap sa feeling na makikita mo yung crowd, yung UP community, tapos nanalo pa kami.”
That was the atmosphere Cagulangan came back to following his recovery from a left hamstring injury that sidelined him for the first four games. And that atmosphere? Felt familiar too.
“Iba talaga ‘pag Ateneo ang kalaban e. Parang feeling ko pa rin yung parang finals namin.
“Grabe yung competition. Lahat, walang magpapatalo. Kahit yung Ateneo, ayaw magpatalo. Kaya siguro nag-oovertime [mga laro namin] kasi nandun yung puso e,”expressed the 21-year-old native of Butuan City.
State U can call itself defending champion for the first time in a long while because of ‘The Shot’ Cagulangan hit just five months ago. Start forward. Step back. Rise. Launch. Three. Over defensive specialist Gian Mamuyac. Listen to this UP crowd roar! Listen to the rush of tears and bottled water baths at the end a title drought!
Terrence Fortea’s breakout in the tournament has been a much-welcome development for the maroon and green. Still, the re-entry of their cool, calm, and collected court general has been a sight to see as well.
“Well, kung may ganoong klaseng team ka, it’s a really good problem (to have). Ang maganda naman dito, yung pagtanggap ng player,” remarked Monteverde about his backcourt corps that also includes dogged defender Gerry Abadiano.
“Lahat naman kami, sinusuportahan namin kung sinong playing well on that day. Yun ang maganda sa team namin.”
In the end, Cagulangan had seven points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals to his name in his first game back. Most importantly, though? He had the win. Another win against Ateneo – long the gold standard in collegiate men’s basketball.
All that, and he’s not yet at full strength.
“Sinasabi ng strength and conditioning coach namin, nasa mga 90-percent. Tuloy pa rin daw dapat yung rehab ko,” he explained. “Tiwala lang din naman ako sa kanila na sana, pagdating ng araw, makarating ng 100-percent. Good thing naman, lagi akong pinu-push ng mga coaches. Thankful ako sa kanila kasi inaalagaan nila ako nang maayos.”
While his physical health is still on its way back, what matters most for the Butuan native – and all of the Fighting Maroons – is that his mentality remains. Fearless. Ruthless.
“Lagi lang namang sinasabi ng coaches na kumpyansa pa rin, lalo galing nga akong injury. Sinasabi nilang mangyayari sa game na yung timing, wala pa rin,” he shared. “Pero yung kumpyansa, dapat nandun pa rin.
“Thankful ako sa coaches, thankful ako sa teammates kasi nandun pa rin sila para sa akin.“
Cagulangan has come back, and he has returned to be a problem for the Blue Eagles and their brilliant tactician Tab Baldwin. As well as everybody else.
