JD Cagulangan expressed his gratitude to Strong Group Athletics (SGA) after leading University of the Philippines to the title of Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

Cagulangan, who emerged as Most Valuable Player of the finals, said the experience he gained after playing for SGA in the Dubai International Basketball Championship was a major boost to his confidence heading into the new UAAP season.

Headed by distinguished businessman Frank Lao and handled by College of Saint Benilde mentor Charles Tiu with Olympic tactician Brian Goorjian of Australia as consultant, the SGA truly polished Cagulangan’s skills and decision-making.

In fact, he played a key role in SGA’s strong run in the Dubai tourney together with former National Basketball Association players Dwight Howard, McKenzie Moore and Andre Roberson as well as local stars like Justin Baltazar and Kevin Quiambao.

They made it to the finals but fell short to Al-Riyadi of Lebanon, 74-77.

“Credit to SGA. You can’t pay for that kind of experience going up against NBA-caliber players,” Cagulangan said, adding that his team-up with Quiambao made it easier for him to face the Green Archers in the finals.

“I’m thankful we got to be teammates in Dubai and was able to go up against him in the finals. He really gave us a hard time.”

True enough, Cagulangan stepped up big time, especially when the series was on the line.

The 24-year-old guard wrapped up his finals stint with averages of 13.67 points, 4.33 rebounds, 4.67 assists, 1.33 steals, and 0.67 blocks, enough to emerge as the most outstanding player in the finals.

He finished with 12 pts, two rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the clincher, which also happened to be his last game in college.