JD Cagulangan capped off his illustrious UAAP career in the best possible way – leading the University of the Philippines to the championship and earning the Finals Most Valuable Player award.
Cagulangan became a hero in Season 84 by ending the Fighting Maroons’ 36-year title drought with his game-winning triple in Game 3 of the Finals against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Now, in Season 87, he helped propel his team to victory over the De La Salle Green Archers – his former squad – in the championship finale.
Throughout the best-of-three Finals, Cagulangan averaged 13.66 points, 4.33 rebounds, and 4.66 assists, playing a pivotal role in UP’s redemption after losing to La Salle in the previous season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“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,” said Cagulangan.
The 5-foot-9 point guard had once envisioned himself as a La Salle lifer – playing for LSGH in high school and committing to DLSU in college. However, during his first and only season with the Green Archers, Cagulangan found himself at the end of the bench, barely seeing minutes.
Then came his transfer to UP, and as they say – the rest is history.
“Gusto ko magthank you kay coach Gold. Nagtiwala siya. Di nya man ako naging player (nung high school) pero ‘yung tiwala niya nandoon. ‘Yung coaching staff, and of course, ‘yung teammates ko, yung sponsors. Sa family ko, sa kanila ako kumukuha ng lakas. Saka kay Tito Frank, sa Lao family. Sobrang thank you sa pag-guide,” he continued, expressing his gratitude to those who guided him on his journey.
Regardless of what his next plans are after exhausting his playing years, one thing’s for sure: Cagulangan will always have his place in UP basketball history.
