By MARK REY MONTEJO
Two-time UAAP champion JD Cagulangan of the University of the Philippines and two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao of La Salle will bring their rivalry to Korean Basketball League (KBL).
A day after Quiambao took to social media on Monday, announcing that he has joined Goyan Sono Skygunners, the Suwon KT SonicBoom also took their turn, revealing they have also signed up the wily guard from the Diliman-based school.
The Maroons regained the UAAP crown after beating Quiambao and the Archers in a series that will go down as one of the most exhilarating in league history.
UP won the crown, 2-1.
Cagulangan will be playing in a team which has a 10-8 card so far while Quiambao’s Skygunners are toting a 5-13 card.
The two will be joining the growing list of Filipino imports in the league that included Carl Tamayo, SJ Belangel, Juan Gomez de Liano, and Migs Oczon, just to name a few.
It was a fitting swan song for the pride of Butuan City after earning the Finals MVP plum and being part of this year’s Mythical Five, leading the State U to its second title in four years and its fourth overall in the country’s premier collegiate league.
It can be remembered that Cagulangan etched his name in UP history book after hitting a game-winning trey in Game 3 of the Season 84 Finals that ended the Maroons’ 36-year championship drought as they beat the Ateneo Blue Eagles in three games.
‘Leadership’
Cagulangan’s solid contributions to UP’s rise as one of the league’s premier squads has brought him to the same pedestal former UP stars Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc enjoyed during their celebrated days as Fighting Maroons.
With Cagulangan’s tested leadership, the SonicBoom are hoping they can turn their fortunes around.
“Siguro ‘yong pagiging leader kasi every year nadagdagan kami ng bago eh. Kaya ni-challenge kami ni coach Goldwin (Monteverde) na paano i-handle ‘yong mga young guns,” said Cagulangan.
“Kung papaano sila maka-adopt sa system. Hopefully, madala ko sya sa magiging team ko,” he added.
However, there’s no further detail as to when Cagulangan’s debut game for SonicBoom.
