UP guard JD Cagulangan goes pro with the KBL's Suwon KT Sonicboom just days after winning UAAP championship.
UAAP Season 87 Finals MVP JD Cagulangan confirmed his move to Korean Basketball League (KBL) team Suwon KT Sonicboom, just days after winning the championship with UP.
Cagulangan, who averaged 13.66 points, 4.33 rebounds, and 4.66 assists across three games in the Finals, confirmed the reports to One Sports on Tuesday afternoon.
He thus joins La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao as latest recruites in Korea, with the latter signed with the Goyang Sono Skygunners.
[RELATED: Kevin Quiambao headed to KBL with Goyang Sono Skygunners]
Previously, Suwon also signed Ateneo point guard Dave Ildefonso back in 2022.
The KBL has since had its fair share of Filipino imports in the past like now-Ginebra gunner RJ Abarrientos, Rhenz Abando, and Alex Cabagnot, among others.
Active Filipino players in the KBL with previous UAAP experience include Carl Tamayo (Changwon LG Sakers), and SJ Belangel (Daegu KOGAS Pegasus).
Cagulangan was among the key cogs in UP’s title run. He was heralded by head coach Goldwin Monteverde as the team’s leader.
“Malaki talaga yung impact niya. He’s not much of a talker but then he’s more of a doer. In practice. Extra support. Trying to huddle them, talking to them… Always being there for them. Wala akong masabi,” said Monteverde.
Cagulangan will join a Suwon side who are currently 4th in the KBL standings with a 10-8 slate so far in the 2024-25 KBL season. The Sonicboom also compete in this season's East Asia Super League.