FILE– Guard JD Cagulangan and UP Fighting Maroons’ during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.mnet
MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippine guard JD Cagulangan may have had a scoring exhibition to help the Fighting Maroons to a 2-0 start, but the graduating guard was far from satisfied.
The Fighting Maroons blazed past the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament but it didn’t come without difficulties.
“We need consistency with what we’re doing,” said Cagulangan in Filipino after their 81-71 win over the Red Warriors on Saturday.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“We didn’t have the best result today so whatever my score was, the important thing for us to be satisfied with the win.”
Cagulangan served as UP’s anchor on offense as he finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists on a blistering 57.1 percent shooting clip, sinking eight baskets from 14 tries.
However, the Fighting Maroons struggled in the fourth after mounting a 69-49 lead, falling into a cold spell that almost allowed the Red Warriors to mount a rally.
READ” UAAP: UP pulls away to beat UE, shares lead in men’s basketball
The Fighting Maroons only scored 12 points in the payoff period but fortunately, Cagulangan’s earlier buckets were enough to send UE to a 0-2 card.
Cagulangan, though, credited his squad for his shooting success, saying it was bred from trust and the habits they’ve built during a convincing preseason.
“When it comes to scoring, I’ll go back to what I’ve been saying the last time. The trust from my teammates and coaching staff is there so all I need to do is trust myself,” he said.
“We’re always reminded by our coaching staff to keep the habits we’ve built in the preseason and instill it in the team and of course, the championship is always the motivation. We lost back-to-back.”