For the past two seasons, University of the Philippines’ quest for dominance in UAAP men’s basketball has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and heartbreaks.
The Fighting Maroons ended a 36-year championship drought in Season 84, defeating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a thrilling three-game series capped by JD Cagulangan’s iconic championship-winning three-pointer in Game 3.
However, Seasons 85 and 86 brought bitter disappointment.
Despite winning the opening game of the Finals in both years, UP failed to close out their respective opponents – Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University – in grueling three-game battles.
This Season 87, the Fighting Maroons feel determined to finally complete their two-year journey toward redemption.
In front of a roaring crowd of 16,202 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, UP surged in the fourth quarter to defeat defending champion La Salle, 73-65, and claim Game 1 of the Finals.
For graduating point guard JD Cagulangan, this season is his last shot at UAAP glory, and he is eager to rewrite the narrative – even if it means toppling his former team, the Green Archers.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Thankful naman ako kung ano yung nangyari sa’kin and hindi rin naman nila ako pinabayaan nung nandoon ako. Sa tanong mo na for my last season para sa UP and championship yung pinag-uusapan, very thankful talaga ako and sobrang laking tulong din sa’kin, especially papunta na ako sa next level ng career ko. So yeah, gagawin ko yung lahat kahit sino pa kalaban ko and hope manalo kami,” said Cagulangan, who transferred from La Salle to UP after Season 82.
“Same sa sinabi ni coach (Goldwin Monteverde) na di naman natatapos yung series sa Game 1 lang. So babalik kami, mag-eensayo kami, and of course mag-aadjust yung DLSU sa kung anong ginagawa namin. So ayun, lagi lang kaming ready kung anong challenges na mahaharap namin sa Game 2.”
Cagulangan proved his readiness in Game 1, showcasing poise and championship composure with 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
It was a triumphant return to form for the 5-foot-9 playmaker, who missed UP’s first-round encounter against La Salle – a 56-68 loss on October 6 – due to illness.
Reflecting on UP’s journey, the Butuan City native emphasized that their struggles during the eliminations shaped their resilience heading into the Finals.
“Para sa’kin, elimination tapos na ako dun eh, so we’re in the finals right now so ibang level nanaman ng game na makikita natin. Kumbaga, this is our like, last three-game series so patibayan talaga ng loob,” he concluded.
He went on, “So hindi na ako nagde-deal doon kung wala si QMB (Quentin Millora-Brown) nung second round or wala ako nung first round. So ang kailangan lang namin harapin kung anong meron ngayon.”
With Cagulangan leading the charge, the Fighting Maroons remain determined to seize every opportunity to reclaim the championship that slipped through their grasp the past two seasons.
