UP’s JD Cagulangan is being guarded by Ateneo’s Jared Bahay in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines star JD Cagulangan urged the UP faithful to stop the hate against Ateneo rookie Jared Bahay.
Bahay, who initially committed to play for the Fighting Maroons before joining the Blue Eagles, drew jeers and boos from the UP crowd in the UAAP Season 87 opener in front of 12,932 fans at Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.
“I feel bad for Jared kasi nung lumabas yung mukha niya sa screen, yung ibang fans nag-boo sa kanya which is ang pangit ng simula niya sa UAAP,” said Cagulangan, who led UP’s 77-61 victory with 17 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
“Sana sa fans na nag-boo kay Jared, sana itigil na natin yun kasi ang sama talaga. Ang sama nung pasok niya sa UAAP. Ganoon kaagad.”
READ: UAAP: UP dominates Ateneo in Season 87 opener
JD Cagulangan urges the UP faithful to stop jeering Ateneo rookie Jared Bahay. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/qgaVxpyhtm
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 7, 2024
Cagulangan said there’s no reason to throw shade at Bahay, adding that there’s no bad blood between the Fighting Maroons and the young point guard despite what happened in the offseason.
“Wala naman akong against kay Jared kung maglaro siya sa kung anong school. Gusto ko lang malaman niya ay yung team ng UP, wala kaming problema sa kanya. Kung saan niya gusto, walang problema. Happy lang ako para sakanya na nag-debut na siya sa UAAP,” Cagulangan.
“Maganda rin naman yung performance ni Jared and sana magtuloy tuloy yung ganon. Grateful ako na nakakaharap ako ng mga gantong players.”
Bahay, who even paid his respects to coach Goldwin Monteverde and the Fighting Maroons after the two teams’ first meeting this season, paced the Blue Eagles with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Cagulangan conspired with Francis Lopez to keep Ateneo at bay down the stretch.
READ: UAAP: Jared Bahay joins Ateneo after decommitting from UP
“Maganda kay Francis is nirerespeto niya ko and then, binabalik ko lang yung respeto and pagdating naman sa practices, naguusap kami and kahit sa simpleng message. Gusto niya manalo, gusto ko manalo, gusto ng team manalo. So lahat kami gustong manalo,” he said. “
“Pwedeng araw ko to, pwedeng araw ng iba kong teammates. So, kung ano yung role ko, yun lang yung lalaruin ko and gusto lang naman namin lahat is manalo eh. So, kung sino man yung may stats na ganyan, happy kami para sakanila.”
Playing in his final year, Cagulangan is determined to end his collegiate career as a winner following two consecutive heartbreaking runner-up finishes since his heroics in UAAP Season 84.
“Gusto ko yung legacy ko na maalala ng tao is yung tipong pag nakikita niyo yung JD is sasabihin niyo na winner and siguro naman, alam natin na since dumating sila Coach Gold sa UP ininsist na sa amin na mindset is maging winner talaga,” Cagulangan said.
“Para sa kanya, yung winner hindi lang yung sa court, kahit sa buhay. Lagi sinasabi sa amin ni coach na yung pagiging champion lifestyle yun.”