ALL eyes were on JD Cagulangan as he bade the University of the Philippines farewell with the grandest prize of all: the UAAP men’s basketball championship.
As the rest of the Fighting Maroons celebrated a title-clinching 66-62 victory, with a record crowd of 25,248 watching on, Cagulangan chose to walk the other way with his Lasallian brothers.
READ: At former team's expense, Cagulangan doubles down on becoming UP legend
It was in La Salle Green Hills where the newly-crowned Finals MVP took his first steps towards an illustrious championship-laden career.
Hence, seeing his Green Archers friends-turned-rivals lift the Season 86 trophy at his State U’s expense was bittersweet, and so was his triumphant swan song that left La Salle crestfallen.
School colors aside, Cagulangan joined La Salle in singing their alma mater hymn in front of the green-and-white faithful who first backed him during his promising high school career.
The final ‘Hail!’ was followed by the departing UP senior embracing team officials and coaches before finding head coach Topex Robinson amid a sea of green.
Both men, on the verge of tears, shared an emotional exchange which saw the Green Archers shot-caller first tease the newly-minted Finals MVP that they were now even in title-clinching battles.
Then came a heartfelt show of gratitude for years of fierce competition under the brightest lights at the highest level.
At the end of it all, animosity turned into respect in the immediate aftermath of a titanic battle between two of the best schools, programs and teams in Philippine collegiate basketball.
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