By MARK REY MONTEJO
JD Cagulangan’s promising year in the Korean Basketball League came to a sudden halt after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on his left knee.
Winner of last year’s Rookie of the Year plum with the Suwon KT Sonicboom, Cagulangan suffered his misfortune during the second frame of their match against the Wonju DB Promy last Thursday, Jan. 8.
The 25-year-old playmaker attempted an inside drive but landed badly that saw him hold his knee — obviously in pain. He was stretchered off.
The Butuan City native wasn’t able to return in the match where the Sonicboom bowed to the Promy, 80-82.
Before his injury, Cagulangan, a two-time UAAP champion with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, tallied 7.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per contest.
His presence boosted Suwon’s campaign this edition as it currently holds a 15-15 win-loss card at No. 6.
Last year, Cagulangan and the Sonicboom reached the quarterfinals, but they were bested by the SJ Belangel-led Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in five games, 3-2.
He alongside former UAAP stars and Gilas Pilipinas members Kevin Quiambao (Goyang) and Carl Tamayo (Changwon) are among the Filipino stars playing in the KBL.
