Graduating player JD Cagulangan clarified that there’s no hatchet to bury to begin with between University of the Philippines and debuting Ateneo player Jared Bahay. 

In another installment of the Battle of Katipunan between UP and Ateneo, the Fighting Maroons had the last laugh with a 77-61 victory to open its campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday night, Sept. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Before fully celebrating the win, though, the 5-foot-9 guard expressed disappointment with the fans, mostly for the maroon side, which made up the 12,932-strong opening day crowd for giving Bahay a reception to forget in his UAAP debut with constant booing. 

The 19-year-old Bahay straight out of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu decided to decommit from UP during the offseason and play for Ateneo in the collegiate level. 

“First of all, I feel bad for Jared. Kasi nung lumabas ‘yung mukha niya sa screen ‘yung mga fans nag-boo sa kaniya which is [looking like] ang pangit ng simula niya sa UAAP. But wala naman akong [anything] against Jared kung maglaro man siya sa gusto niyang school,” said Cagulangan. 

“Ang gusto ko lang malaman niya wala kami ‘yung team ng UP na problema sa kaniya kung saan niya gustong school maglaro. So, happy lang ako para sa kaniya na nag-debut na siya sa UAAP. Sana sa fans nag-boo kay Jared, itigil na natin ‘yun. Ang sama ng pasok niya sa UAAP [dahil doon],” he continued. 

Looking leaner and meaner in his final year, Cagulangan was a picture of all-around efficiency for UP after turning in a nearly triple-double output of 17 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds that even went with two steals. 

Likewise, Bahay was Cagulangan’s counterpart for the Ateneo side as he delivered a team-best 13 points on top of five rebounds after checking in for the Blue Eagles four minutes into the game. 

Cagulangan also stressed that his focus remains on making his final year count for the Fighting Maroons who are fiercely seeking to repeat their historic Season 84 title run. 

Whether it’s Cagulangan’s day or not, the goal remains all the same for the Fighting Maroons to win one game at a time.

“Pwedeng araw ko, pwedeng ng iba kong mga teammates. Kung ano ‘yung role ko ‘yun ang lalaruin ko. Gusto lang namin palagi ay manalo. Kung sino man ‘yung may stats na maganda, happy kami para sa kaniya,” he concluded.