JD Cagulangan gets the perfect UP sendoff with a championship and Finals MVP from UAAP Season 87.
JD Cagulangan capped his career in UP with a resounding championship victory as he was named Finals MVP, having propelled the Fighting Maroons past the DLSU Green Archers in three games of the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
Averaging 13.67 points, 4.33 rebounds, 4.67 assists, 1.33 steals, and 0.67 blocks, Cagulangan relived his championship moment back in his first year with the Fighting Maroons, hitting the booming triple at the Mall of Asia Arena that ended a 36-year title drought in Diliman.
After proving themselves worthy of the title again, Cagulangan said that it was a satisfying end to his “roller coaster” career — especially in the midst of all the challenges and doubts surrounding the team.
“Para sakin siguro it’s a roller coaster ride sa UP. Nag-start kami champion and natalo kami ng dalawang beses and pinatunayan na kaya namin this season and yeah, we’re champions,” Cagulangan told One Sports.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling na ang daming doubters namin na pinatunayan namin na kaya namin this season. Thankful ako sa lahat ng sumuporta samin and sa mga sponsors,” he added.
Cagulangan, along with one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown, are the only two players set to leave the Fighting Maroons after this latest championship. Having shaped his career under the guidance of head coach Goldwin Monteverde, he had nothing else to ask for.
“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. Gusto ko mag-thank you kay coach Gold. Nagtiwala siya. Di nya man ako naging player pero ‘yung tiwala niya nandoon,” said the 24-year-old.
“‘Yung coaching staff, and of course, ‘yung teammates ko, yung sponsors. Andon [sila], of course, sa family ko, sa kanila ako kumukuha ng lakas. Tsaka kay Tito Frank, sa Lao family. Sobrang thank you sa pag-guide.”
However, Cagulangan stayed coy on what was coming for his basketball career. Having exhausted all his eligible years in the UAAP, he wants to prioritize his rest first.
“Pahinga muna and let’s see. Yun lang masasabi ko. Let’s see,” he said.