THE animosity between former DLSU Green Archer Kevin Quiambao and UP Fighting Maroon JD Cagulangan appears to be far from finished, as it has spilled over into the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Despite having to start their professional careers overseas, Filipino basketball fans can’t get over the UAAP Season 86 and 87 Finals between DLSU and UP, particularly Quiambao and Cagulangan’s matchup.
Cagulangan defeated Quiambao in their debut professional basketball game, with Suwon KT defeating Goyang Sono in a nail-biting fashion, 78-73, on Friday, at the Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena.
The two former UAAP players, who led DLSU and UP’s rivalry in their previous two UAAP Finals appearances, treated fans to a thrilling clash in their KBL debut.
Battle of Former UAAP MVPs
Trailing by up to 13 points at halftime, the Cagulangan Sonicboom rallied in the second half, bannered by their stunning 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to take a 72-65 lead with 5:01 left.
The Skygunners refused to give up so easily, rallying with an 8-2 run capped by a clutch three-pointer from Quiambao that cut the margin to 74-73 with 1:22 remaining. However, Cagulangan had the last say.
With 59.8 seconds left in the game, the Season 87 Finals MVP replaced the injured Han Hee-Won, who was forced to the sideline after receiving an unintended elbow from Lim Dong-Seop.
Cagulangan, noted for his cool temperament in the UAAP, then sunk two clutch free throws in Hee-Won’s place, giving Suwon KT a slender 76-73 lead. Meanwhile, Goyang Sono labored in the last minutes.
Dwight Burns Jr. missed two key free throws with 39.6 seconds left, which could’ve cut the lead to one. Quiambao then had a costly turnover with only 3.9 seconds, allowing Suwon KT to notch their third straight win.
One for the Book
Despite the fact that this is their first clash in the early phases of their professional careers, it bears similarities to their famous collegiate day rivalries. One that most Filipino basketball fans will remember for years.
Cagulangan had four points, four assists, one rebound, and one steal, and Quiambao almost had his first KBL double-double with 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal.
Suwon KT’s 19-15 record helped them maintain their fourth-place position, while also expanding their lead over fifth-place Daegu KOGAS (18-15) and sixth-place Wonju DB (16-18).
Meanwhile, the Skygunners lost their fourth consecutive loss, leaving them at the bottom of the 10-team league rankings with a 10-24 record. Quiambao and Goyang Sono will try to avenge it when the two-time UAAP MVP meets Cagulangan and Suwon KT again on March 13.
