Last month, Filipino basketball player Joel Diomar “JD” Cagulangan just finished his collegiate career strong with another championship and MVP title under his belt. Now, the point guard is trending on the Korean side of the internet. But who is this basketball player and why are Koreans simping over him? Here are some fast facts about the point guard:

He’s only 24

JD Cagulangan was born on 24 January 2000, making him an Aquarius. He grew up in Butuan.

Standing at 175 centimeters or 5 feet 9 inches, he plays basketball as a point guard.

He started his basketball career early

During his elementary days, he played for Northern Mindanao in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa, where his team won the championship despite the odds stacked against them. JD was dubbed as “Little Johnny Abarientos” and even named elementary MVP in Palaro basketball.

He was recruited in high school

He was recruited by La Salle Green Hills (LSGH). During his time with LSGH, JD helped the team won its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title and the first NCAA championship for a Lasallian school since 1954 by securing both of his free throws during the NCAA Season 93 finals in 2017. He was then named Finals MVP.

He represented two schools in the UAAP

In 2019, JD Cagulangan debuted in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) as part of the De La Salle Green Archers. But due to limited playing time and differences with the DLSU’s new coach, he decided to transfer to University of the Philippines and represent the UP Fighting Maroons. JD added that he wanted to make history for UP, like he did for LSGH.

“Isa ring dahilan kaya ginusto kong lumipat sa UP, kasi wala pa silang championship [in 36 years],” he had shared in a 2022 interview. “Parang sa LSGH, gusto kong mag-make history ulit dito. Playing for UP, masaya akong may chance na naman akong makatulong para sa something special.”

He helped end UP’s title drought in the UAAP

Make history, he did. JD is widely credited for leading the UP Fighting Maroons claim the UAAP Season 84 (2022) men’s basketball championship, ending the school’s 36-year title-drought since 1986. During the final game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, he made a game-winning three-pointer, breaking the 69-all deadlock with .5 seconds left in overtime.

AFTER 36 YEARS, JD CAGULANGAN BRINGS THE CROWN BACK TO DILIMAN! #UPFIGHT pic.twitter.com/ST0REvO5MP

— Ryan Alba (@_alba__) May 13, 2022

For his final collegiate season, JD secured a second championship for the UP Fighting Maroons just last December 2024.

He has several awards in his school career

After the UP Fighting Maroons won against his former team, he was named UAAP Season 87 (2024) Finals MVP. He was also part of the season’s Mythical Five.

During his NCAA career, he also named juniors’ champion (2017) and juniors’ Finals MVP (2017).

He’s currently playing in the KBL

Just two days after he secured the Maroon’s second championship, JD Cagulangan signed with the Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

“I’m JD Cagulangan from the Philippines, and I’m playing as point guard for KT” pic.twitter.com/OD62jPaeAL

— MaroonGirl (@LadyMaroon10) January 10, 2025

Despite his team losing the game to the Seoul Samsung Thunders, 78-64, JD made an impressive debut with seven points, nine assists, five steals, and four rebounds in only 22 minutes of action.

Full game highlights of JD Cagulangan’s KBL debut.

He finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 steals. He quickly established his presence and showed them why he’s been so highly touted coming out of UP. pic.twitter.com/Zixif2e6yP

— Ryan Alba (@_alba__) January 11, 2025

K-netz are simping over him

With JD’s debut in the KBL, Koreans seem to be going crazy over him on the social media. Here are some of our favorite reactions:

카굴랑안오피셜드디어!!!!!
기다리고있었어요 pic.twitter.com/7kqY5ujtAs

— (@ruinedlifeisegg) December 17, 2024

This fan who “has been waiting” for JD.

크블에 자꾸 젠틀&스윗 아쿼가 나타난다 pic.twitter.com/7KSrmdvxca

— Aㅏ무 (@Amu_Na_13) January 11, 2025

“Gentle and sweet Aquarius keeps appearing in KBL.”

ㅈㅈ하게반햇어요..//// pic.twitter.com/Fo7zrwzysW

— 나정 (@imnongtaku) January 11, 2025

“I fell in love with you.”

패스도 잘 주더라
카굴랑안-문정현 호흡 인상적이었음 pic.twitter.com/Y0h3nglYlf

— ️김안생 .oO(민주주의생각…) (@auto_reversible) January 13, 2025

“Cagulangan’s play was very impressive. What is this shot? He also gave good passes. Cagulangan and Moon Jeong-hyeon’s chemistry was good.

문정현-카굴랑안 뭐야??

— 멜럽 (@mxxiloveu) January 11, 2025

Another fan impressed by the teamwork of JD Cagulangan and and Moon Jeong-hyeon!

오늘자느좋카굴랑안 pic.twitter.com/qlyV7JO5y4

— 멜럽 (@mxxiloveu) January 11, 2025

“Today’s sleep is good,” this fan says.

정현이 << 친화력 ㅈㄴ 좋은 편인데(특히 외국인 선수들이랑)
카굴랑안 << 이님도 ㅈㄴ 좋은 편인듯
(feat. 성재 다리) pic.twitter.com/UqKGhrS37G

— 쏘 (@kos2yk) January 11, 2025

“Cagulangan seems to be a good person, too.”

Filipinos are loving the reactions of Koreans, joking that there’s a line for simping over JD.

Mga Pilipino naman ang kinukuhaan ng fancam ng koreano https://t.co/loqqtVLGm4

— gwen (@gwenctxtzzn) January 13, 2025

The tables have turned.

Nasa pinas po ang pila https://t.co/9p6Jqawf2J

— teu (@teojohn_) January 12, 2025

Please fly to the Philippines to find the end of the line for JD.

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