UP's JD Cagulangan is hailed as the Finals Most Valuable Player of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball finals in Quezon City on December 15, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- JD Cagulangan may have won two UAAP men's basketball titles as a Fighting Maroon, he is not forgetting his roots as a Green Archer.

After his heroics for the University of the Philippines in Season 84, the floor general once again led his squad to redemption to dethrone the De La Salle University in Season 87.

Cagulangan turned emotional as he sang UP Naming Mahal for the last time, capping off his collegiate career with a championship and Finals MVP trophy. 

Shortly after, he joined his opponents and former team to sing the De La Salle Alma Mater Hymn, with his head held high. 

READ: UP reigns over La Salle for UAAP championship glory

READ: Finals MVP JD Cagulangan ends his UP career as a champion

Before joining UP, Cagulangan played his first year in the collegiate ranks with the Green Archers in Season 82. 

After barely getting minutes with De La Salle, he transferred to UP, where he etched his name in the history of their men's basketball program. Cagulangan hit the game-winning three-pointer against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 84 Finals that ended their 36-year title drought. Two seasons later, he led them  back to the top, this time at the expense of the Green Archers.

Even after all his accomplishments with the Fighting Maroons, the former La Salle Green Hills standout remains grateful and proud to have been part of the Green Archers. 

"Yung stint ko sa La Salle sobrang laking tulong sa akin. Kasi after that season, kumbaga nakita ko na yung reality pag dating sa college basketball. Very thankful pa rin naman ako na naging part ako sa kanila," Cagulangan said. 

"Of course proud. Kasi di naman nila ako pinabayaan. Nung naging part ako ng team, andun yung support ng team. So proud parin talaga ako," he shared. 

Cagulangan also thanked his former teammates, especially La Salle's former guards, for all the lessons he applied as UP's floor general. 

"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. Doon ko nawitness sa kanila," Cagulangan added. 

Caracut and Melecio both went on to join the PBA, with Rookie of the Year plums and the Season 79 championship under their belt. 

UAAP TITLE IS HIS GIFT TO FAMILY

Cagulangan expressed gratitude to his family, who always support him by watching his games.

"Of course yung family ko diyan ako humuhugot ng lakas. Every year, every time may finals, pinapapunta ko talaga sila dito. Kasi mas ginaganahan ako maglaro kapag andiyan sila. I know na kahit anong mangyari, andiyan sila para sa akin," he said. 

Despite not delivering the championship on time for two special events in his family, the 5-foot-10 floor general is happy they ended with a win. 

"I am very very happy kasi nung December 11, which is birthday ng kuya ko, yung championship hindi ko nabigay ng time na yun. Yung December13, birthday ng inaanak ko which is sobrang malapit sa akin. Siguro ito na gift ko sa kanila. Gift ko narin kila mama and papa," Cagulangan shared. 

When asked which championship is sweeter between Season 84 or 87, the Finals MVP said he could not decide since they were both hard fought. However, Cagulangan chose Season 84 as his most memorable moment as a Fighting Maroon.

"Nakita ko kung paano namin na-overcome lahat ng challenges despite sa pandemic. Ang daming nagkakasakit, ang daming nawawala sa wisyo. Yung team na yun sobrang grabe yung loob talaga. Sobrang thankful ako naging part ako ng team na yun kasi ang dami naming pinagdaanan. Nung nag-champion kami, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakuha namin yun," he said.

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