With renewed confidence, Cagulangan gets back at former team De La Salle
By Carlo Anolin
University of the Philippines guard Joel Cagulangan assured that there is no grudge on his end as he got back at his former team De La Salle, 61-59, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday, April 7.

Cagulangan recovered from his early slump after delivering key plays in the payoff period including a three-pointer to tie the game at 54-all with less than five minutes remaining.
The 5-foot-9 court general also orchestrated the turning point of the match, finding top scorer Zavier Lucero open from beyond the arc as the UP swingman drained a go-ahead triple for the 57-54 lead.
While it was Lucero who put the finishing touches, Cagulangan earned due credit for his pivotal role down the stretch.
Cagulangan, who transferred to UP in January 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, expressed gratitude to the head tactician Goldwin Monteverde and the rest of the coaching staff for giving him renewed confidence heading into Season 84.
"Masaya naman po, 'di naman dahil sa La Salle 'yong kalaban pero kasi may goal kami," said Cagulangan. "'Yong goal namin, mag-6-1 (record) sa first round. Siguro dagdag na rin 'yong dati. Pero wala na 'yon."
As a Green Archer, Cagulangan only played four games and had a total of three points, 12 rebounds, four steals, and three assists in an average eight minutes of play.
De La Salle then had deep guard rotation in seniors Aljun Melecio, Andrei Caracut, and Kib Montalbo which kept Cagulangan, fondly known as Maimai, at the sidelines.
But for the 21-year-old Butuan native guard, the past is in the past as he tries to make the most out of his time in the Diliman based-squad.
"Masaya lang talaga ako kasi nanalo kami. Kumbaga 'yong mga coaching staff, grabe talaga ginawa 'yong preparation para sa kanila lalo na 'yong sa offensive rebounds... maganda 'yong nilaro ng team. Sobrang saya," added Cagulangan, who was only limited to five points but contributed seven assists and five rebounds.