IT will soon be time for University of the Philippines senior JD Cagulangan to pass on the torch to his successor in the Fighting Maroons’ starting point guard position.
The heir apparent? No other than former University of the East hotshot and UAAP Season 86 Mythical Five member Rey Remogat.
Cagulangan, who posted a nine-game average of 6.2 points, 4.4 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in an injury-hit Season 86 campaign, will suit up for State U one last time come Season 87 later this year.
READ: Goldwin hopes to heal UP heartbreaks with fresh recruits
This means that Cagulangan and Remogat won’t be able to share the court as UAAP teammates since the latter needs to complete his residency year before being eligible by Season 88 in 2025.
But in the brief time they’ve spent training together thus far, ‘Kuya JD’ has made himself available for Remogat and the rest of the squad’s newcomers — giving them all the help and guidance they’ll need in a new environment and new system under head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
“Nagsshare kami (ni Rey Remogat) about ‘yung experiences niya and also mga experiences ko and ‘yung mga previous schools namin. Parehas kami eh, galing kaming different schools na pumunta sa UP. Shinashare ko rin sa kanya kung paano ‘yung magiging system ni Coach Gold (Monteverde) and kumbaga, ma-guide ko rin siya,” said Cagulangan.
“Mahirap kasi from ibang system tapos lilipat ka agad sa ibang system. Inaalalayan namin siya, hindi lang naman ako. Meron din namang (guidance mula sa) ‘yung mga veterans, ‘yung mga player ni Coach Gold sa NU na mas nakakaalam ng sistema ni Coach Gold. Gina-guide namin lahat ng bago, hindi lang din naman si Rey kasi marami rin kaming bago eh. Tulungan lang kami as a team talaga,” he added.
Point guard connection, on and off the court
Sharing the same side of the court, at least in offseason training, has been nothing short of a treat for Cagulangan and Remogat, whom the UP senior considers to be 'one of the toughest guards in the UAAP.'
"UP (was) very thankful to Rey Remogat na lumipat siya sa’min kasi he’s a big help for us especially next (next) season. We all know Rey Remogat naman, galing Mythical Five, one of the toughest guards in the UAAP. For sure, marami siyang pahihirapan and marami siyang maitutulong sa UP.
"Although hindi kami mag-aabot kasi it’s my last playing year this year, pero I know mabait siyang bata and napaka-down-to-earth," said Cagulangan.
Remogat added: "Sobrang saya na nakakalaban ko si kuya JD (Cagulangan) sa practice. Every practice, meron kang natututunan sa kanya eh. 'Pag nakakalaban mo siya, 'pag napapanood mo siya, every galaw niya, meron kang matututunan kaya sobrang thankful ako na naging mataas 'yung (level of play sa new) environment (ko), sa team, sa players.
"Iba 'yung Cagulangan eh."
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