UP Fighting Maroons star JD Cagulangan during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals against La Salle Green Archers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — JD Cagulangan knows too well not to feel settled after the University of the Philippines Game 1 win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals.

The Fighting Maroons inched closer to a championship with a 73-65 victory on Sunday over defending champion La Salle, but given how they fared in the past–winning the last four Finals series openers but losing the last two in heartbreaking Game 3 finishes–Cagulangan remains wary.

“The series doesn’t end with just Game 1, so we’ll go back, train, and prepare because, of course, La Salle will adjust to what we’re doing,” said Cagulangan, who tallied 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. “We’ll always be ready for whatever challenges we’ll face in Game 2.”

RESULTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1 – La Salle vs UP

It would be a fitting end to Cagulangan’s UAAP career if UP ends a two-season title drought. He last led his team to the title in Season 84  with an epic game-winning triple against Ateneo in May 2022.

This time, it’s against his former school La Salle, UP’s last year’s finals tormentor.

“[I have] nothing against La Salle. I’m thankful for everything that happened to me there, and they didn’t neglect me while I was with them,” the UP guard said. “I’m really very thankful, and they helped me a lot, especially as I move to the next level of my career. I hope we win, and I’m grateful.”

READ: UAAP: JD Cagulangan makes immediate impact in UP return

The win ended the Green Archers’ four-game winning streak over the Fighting Maroons dating back to last year’s finals and including the elimination round sweep in Season 87.

But the senior Fighting Maroon is sticking to their mindset not to dwell on the past.

“We’re in the finals right now, so we’ll see a different level of the game. It’s really about mental toughness,” said Cagulangan. “I’m not dwelling on the fact that Quentin Millora-Brown wasn’t there in the second round or that I wasn’t there in the first round. We just need to focus on what we have now and face the challenge ahead.”

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