By JEROME LAGUNZAD
This early, La Salle-Greenhills star guard Joel Cagulangan has committed to suit up for powerhouse La Salle in the seniors ranks, assuring the Green Archers of another potent backcourt weapon for UAAP Season 82.
Photos of the 5-foot-9 Cagulangan flanked by Green Archers’ first-year head coach Louie Gonzalez and chief patron Danding Cojuangco circulated in several social media sites recently.
Cagulangan, who powered the Greenies to their breakthrough NCAA juniors crown last year when he was named Finals MVP in the process, should be a welcome addition for the Green Archers ahead of the imminent graduation of veterans Kib Montalbo and Andrei Caracut.
But La Salle will have to wait for another year since Cagulangan, named to the NCAA juniors Mythical Team behind his solid all-around numbers of 16.2 points anchored on 42.7 percent shooting clip plus 6.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals, will still have another tour of duty with La Salle-Greenhills in the next NCAA season.
Barring any change of heart, Cagulangan should give the Green Archers another dependable playmaker who could team up with spitfire guard Aljun Melecio and former National University Bulldog Jordan Bartlett who’s already undergoing a one-year residency.
Meanwhile, former La Salle reserve Brent Paraiso has transferred to University of Santo Tomas where he will be reunited with former La Salle tactician Aldin Ayo.
Paraiso, who took a leave of absence from Green Archers’ practices with close buddies Ricci and Prince Rivero for violating a team rule, already saw action for the Growling Tigers in a number of pre-season tournaments before making his move official.
