MANILA, Philippines—Leadership can be shown in various ways and forms. JD Cagulangan showed his ability to lead without even stepping on the court.

Cagulangan proved to be one of the University of the Philippines’ reliable leaders on Sunday during a highly anticipated showdown against defending champion La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

Article continues after this advertisement

As things got chippy between the two rivals late in the third quarter, Cagulangan, who missed his second straight game, was among the first to jump out of his seat and pacify the situation.

READ: UAAP: La Salle hands UP its first loss to claim No. 1 spot

UH OH 😳

The La Salle and UP bench were almost cleared as both sides were caught in a heated argument.

Improper bench decorums were called on both sides. Green Archers lead the Fighting Maroons, 42-40, with 2:54 left in the third. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/J7yLr7y65b

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) October 6, 2024

“Honestly, I don’t know what happened either,” Cagulangan told Inquirer Sports after the game.

Article continues after this advertisement

“But, as a leader and veteran of the team, it’s my job to keep the guys focused on the game. They have to be unaffected by what’s going on outside the court.”

Cagulangan’s quick thinking and the efforts of some team members from both schools helped prevent the situation from escalating.

UP may not have missed Cagulangan’s leadership, but the veteran guard’s production certainly would’ve provided the Fighting Maroons added firepower to match the Green Archers, who took the 68-56 victory.

READ: UAAP: Harold Alarcon, UP guards step up with Cagulangan out

The loss was only the Maroons’ first after opening the season at 6-0, but Cagulangan believes the setback won’t affect the team’s confidence and morale heading into the tougher second round.

“The confidence won’t go away because it’s already within us,” he said.

“Towards the second round, our mindset would be to take one game at a time. We also can’t forget the learnings we’ve had, especially with this loss today.”

UP, which is determined to reclaim the title after a runner-up finish last season, slipped into a tie in the win-loss record with La Salle in the standings.