Life after UP: PBA Draft preps among Cagulangan’s motivations in senior year with Maroons | ABS-CBN

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Life after UP: PBA Draft preps among Cagulangan’s motivations in senior year with Maroons

Life after UP: PBA Draft preps among Cagulangan’s motivations in senior year with Maroons

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

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University of the Philippines star JD Cagulangan. Photo from UAAP Media. PBAUniversity of the Philippines star JD Cagulangan. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — JD Cagulangan has been stellar for the University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 87.

In five appearances so far, the 5-foot-10, 24-year-old guard is currently putting up 13.4 points (2nd league-best), 6.0 assists (3rd league-best), 4.4 rebounds, and a steal, and leads the league in +/- with +68.

Cagulangan's numbers are also the driving force for the Fighting Maroons as they preserved their unbeaten campaign on Saturday in a clash against Adamson University -- a game wherein they turned a 22-point deficit into a 69-57 win while also leading by as many as 16 points.

"Napag handaan talaga kami ng maganda ng Adamson. Ayoko namang mag excuse, pero nasa part din namin na masyado kaming flat nag start," JD told ABS-CBN News after putting up nine markers, seven dimes, two boards, and two steals in almost 24 minutes of action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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"Good thing na nag respond kami ng maayos," he added. 

The former De La Salle University Green Archer admitted that their perfect record heading into that match might have factored in their slow start, especially since they have been moving past their four previous opponents by a margin of 13.5 per game ahead of their faceoff against Adamson U. 

"Siguro may complacency, pero bigay talaga dapat yung credit sa Adamson. Pumapasok talaga lahat ng tira nila. Yung part namin na wag silang patirahin ng ganun, ‘di namin nagawa," he explained. 

This is a trap that State U must not fall into moving forward, said Cagulangan, especially if they want to continue their search for the league's men's basketball crown. 

UP has a pair of bridesmaid finishes in the past two seasons, succumbing to Ateneo de Manila University and La Salle in Seasons 85 and 86, respectively.

But despite this being the Season 84 champions' biggest motivation, also a part of the goals JD has is for his teammates to realize and maximize their potential and capabilities en route to bringing back the trophy to Diliman. 

"Of course, yung championship yung gusto naming makuha ulit," he insisted. "Alam naming mahirap, pero ang gusto ko pang makita yung potential ng team, potential namin as brothers, as a family on-and-off the court."

Aside from this, Cagulangan also hopes to leave a legacy in UP as a winner, as well as enter the professional ranks as a champion.

University of the Philippines star JD Cagulangan. Photo from UAAP Media.University of the Philippines star JD Cagulangan. Photo from UAAP Media.

"Iba yung mag graduate ka ng may championship. Last playing year ko na 'to eh, and ito na yung bridge ko papunta sa next level which is sa pros," he revealed. 

"Malapit na rin akong magpa-draft, so magbo-boost ng confidence ko yun pag dating sa draft. Hopefully, ma-draft ako sa PBA," he furthered. 

Not looking too far ahead, however, JD maintained that his focus is to improve more as a player — not only to boost his draft stock, but also to contribute to what could be a championship exit for him in the UAAP.

"Yung outside shooting ko, and yung leadership ang need ko i-improve," he said. "Yung dalawa na yun ang pinaka focus ko. Bangungot kasi yun sa akin since Season 84. Sana ma-reach ko yun. Alam ko mahirap, pero mapag ta-trabahuhan naman yun." 

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