IN every sporting event, there are always two sides – a winner and a loser.
The winning team who is celebrating a well-deserved victory, and a losing squad that is still reeling from a painful loss at the conclusion of the season.
No matter which side an athlete takes, sportsmanship will always be the bridge between two strong rivals who share the same respect for the game and their opponents. Pulling them back down to Earth.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Despite how heated the matches were throughout the UAAP Season 87 Finals series, let alone the bad blood from the elimination stage, JD Cagulangan appears to be a breath of fresh air in the sports scene.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons’ outgoing floor general has been praised for his conduct during the series. A demonstration that one may sometimes put aside pride and act like a true sportsman.
Real Student of the Game
Some may consider an athlete to be a “student of the game” if they devote a significant amount of time and effort to work on their craft. In contrast, some fail to act like a true sportsman.
After winning his second UAAP title, Cagulangan walked straight to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers team, congratulating them on the victory and singing the school song alongside his opponents.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
The 5-foot-9 guard attended La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) and began his collegiate career with the Green Archers in Season 82. Despite not earning his minutes, which forced him to transfer, he still recognizes his roots.
“Yung stint ko sa La Salle sobrang laking tulong sa akin. Kasi after that season, nakita ko na yung reality pagdating sa college basketball. Very thankful pa rin naman ako na naging part ako sa kanila,” said Cagulangan.
“Of course proud. Kasi di naman nila ako pinabayaan. Nung naging part ako ng team, andun yung support ng team. So proud pa rin talaga ako,” he went on to explain.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Aside from joining the other side of the court to honor his DLSU heritage, the LSGH product also took time to help a cramping Josh David, one of his former teammates, in the midst of the heated Game 1 of their series.
Cagulangan also took the opportunity to thank his former teammates, particularly La Salle’s former veteran guards, for all the lessons he learned and utilized while serving as one of the UAAP’s most talented point guards.
“Marami akong natututunan, of course sa mga veteran guards sila manong Andrei Caracut. Of course, kuya Aljun Melecio. Marami akong natutunan sa kanila. Kung paano nila hinahandle yung pressure,” he added.
Bigger UPportunities
Cagulangan’s sportsmanship, paired with his floor brilliance and scoring abilities, turned scouts’ minds, and he is now on his way to a better opportunity to start his professional career.
Just like his tormentor, Kevin Quiambao, the Fighting Maroons product will now book a flight to Korea to play for the Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
According to the Tiebreaker Times, the Mythical 5 member signed with the Sonicboom on Monday, just hours before the highly anticipated bonfire in Diliman to celebrate their championship win.
According to reports, the Korean ball club was aggressively looking for an Asian recruit to fit into head coach Song Youngjin’s style. Dave Ildefonso had played for them for two seasons but received limited playing time.
Before departing the UAAP, Cagulangan was a two-time champion, Finals MVP, and Mythical Team member, averaging 11.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds this season.
Kapitan JD is now poised to represent his roots on a larger stage, having already established his legacy in the UAAP as a real point God, a student of the game, and one of the league’s most modest athletes.
