Athlete

JD Cagulangan’s Journey: From Free Tuition Dreams to Championship Glory

Photo source: UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development

JD Cagulangan only dreamed of free college tuition as a kid, inspired by his father’s love for basketball. At just 5 years old, he would play the game with his dad, gradually learning the basics.

“I started playing basketball when I was 5 or 6 years old. Every morning, nagte-training kami ni Papa. Ang goal lang namin noon ay magkaroon ng free tuition sa college, pero nabless kami na mayroong ganitong talent,” he shares in an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR.

His father often played in panalay leagues, and JD would eagerly watch from the sidelines. Noticing JD’s passion for the sport, his father dedicated himself to training his son. As JD’s first coach, he helped him get recruited to various leagues, giving him exposure and opportunities to play in different places.

“Nung naglalaro si Papa sa panalay, nanonood ako lagi sa kanya. Nakikita ko kung paano sila maglaro, and then nakahiligan ko na din manood. Nag-eenjoy naman ako kahit nanonood lang. Nung nakita ni Papa na sobrang hilig ko sa basketball, tinutukan na niya ako at tinraining hanggang sa maging ganito ako.”

Photo credits: UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development
Photo credits: UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development

The road to where JD is now wasn’t easy. He had to move several times before ending up at the University of the Philippines (UP). Initially, he didn’t want to leave Cagayan de Oro for Manila, but his dad convinced him otherwise.

“From Butuan, grade 1 to 5, then I transferred to Cagayan de Oro when I was 12. I was in grade 6 at the time. After Cagayan de Oro, nanalo kami ng Palarong Pambansa. I think after ilang years bago nag-champion yung Northern Mindanao, at naging part ako ng team na yun. I was the smallest guy in the team or the second smallest. Then isang scout coach from La Salle Greenhills, si Coach Chris Bautista, sinabi niya, ‘May talent ka, you have the potential.’”

A few words of encouragement and a bit of convincing helped JD become the player fans now know on the court. He didn’t just bleed maroon; he once bled green. During his secondary years, JD played for La Salle Greenhills, where his potential blossomed.

“Pagdating ko sa La Salle Greenhills, inalagaan ako ng head coach ko, si Coach Marvin, from grade 7 to 12. Halos lahat ng kung ano man ako ngayon, siya ang nag-guide at nag-advise sa akin. After La Salle Greenhills, nag-La Salle ako for 1 year, pero hindi ganon kaganda yung nangyari. So I transferred to UP, and the rest is history.”

On his rest days, JD enjoys watching movies. It helps him take his mind off basketball and escape negative thoughts. Recently, he’s been into action films and just finished the James Bond series.

“I like watching movies — nakakarelax kasi. Gusto ko na kapag free day ko, ayoko isipin yung basketball. Kasi may mga times na ganon; kapag masyado ka nag-iisip about basketball, nag-o-overthink ka and nagdudoubt ka na sa sarili mo. So minsan, masarap lang sa feeling na manood ng movies. Parang nawawala yung pressure pagdating sa basketball, kaya nakakatulong talaga siya.”

The journey has been tough, but it led him to become a champion, and now, a professional player in the KBL. Despite being away from his family, their absence became his motivation to push harder and become better.

“Very, very thankful ako. Although mahirap maging mag-isa at malayo sa pamilya, andun yung motivation at inspiration na nagpupush sa akin para maging better. Thankful ako sa Diyos na nagbigay ng talent na ito at sa mga taong tumulong sa akin. Hindi ko sila mamention isa-isa, pero alam nila na nakatulong sila sa akin. Very, very thankful ako.”