NEWLY-MINTED UAAP finals MVP JD Cagulangan is set to continue his cage career overseas, joining Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League.
The former University of the Philippines star playmaker follows the footsteps of reigning two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao who will also be playing in the KBL for the Goyang Sono SkyGunners as an Asian import.
Cagulangan shone for the Maroons as they completed their redemption bid in the and dethroned the Green Archers in Game 3 last Sunday.
“Wala akong masabi kundi thank you. Sobrang happy ko na napunta ako sa programang ito. Winelcome nila ako nang maayos at deserve ng UP na manalo this season,” Cagulangan said. “Gusto ko magthank you kay coach Gold (Monteverde), nagtiwala siya sa akin. Hindi niya man ako naging player noon pero iyong tiwala niya nandoon.
“Iyong coaching staff, and of course, iyong teammates ko, iyong sponsors. Nandoon of course, sa family ko, sa kanila ako kumukuha ng lakas.”
The former La Salle Green Hills standout had an impressive run in his last season this year after he averaged 11.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game in the double elimination round for 69.167 statistical points that also earned him his first and only Mythical team selection.
The 5-foot-9 floor general leveled up his game further in the Big Dance as he averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals for the Katipunan-based squad.
Cagulangan will be the third Filipino to suit up for Sonicboom after Dave Ildefonso and Dalph Panopio.
Suwon KT, which also competes in the 2024-25 East Asia Super League, is in fourth spot with a 10-8 mark.
“Wala akong masabi kundi thank you. Sobrang happy ko na napunta ako sa programang ito. Winelcome nila ako nang maayos at deserve ng UP na manalo this season,” Cagulangan said. “Gusto ko magthank you kay coach Gold (Monteverde), nagtiwala siya sa akin. Hindi niya man ako naging player noon pero iyong tiwala niya nandoon.
“Iyong coaching staff, and of course, iyong teammates ko, iyong sponsors. Nandoon of course, sa family ko, sa kanila ako kumukuha ng lakas.”
