Suwon KT of KBL eyes DLSU’s Jacob Cortez, UST’s Nic Cabanero as replacement for injured JD Cagulangan

Suwon KT’s season took a sharp turn the moment JD Cagulangan went down.

With the Filipino point guard ruled out for the year due to a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, the Sonicboom are suddenly operating without the engine that steadied their backcourt. What was once a team gaining rhythm is now one racing against time, forced into the market to plug a glaring hole at point guard.

Multiple sources closely monitoring the situation say Suwon KT has shifted its focus to the Philippines, where two young guards have emerged as serious options: De La Salle University floor general Jacob Cortez and University of Santo Tomas standout Nic Cabanero.

The urgency is understandable. Before Cagulangan’s injury, Suwon KT was riding a four-game winning streak with the former University of the Philippines star orchestrating the offense. 

The two-time UAAP champion averaged 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 22 minutes for  Suwon KT before going down with the injury. 

Without him, the Sonicboom have been left thin at the guard spot, even as they remain in the thick of the playoff race at 16–16, good for sixth place in the standings.

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JD Cagulangan is likely to be out for the season due to a ruptured knee cruciate ligament.#JDCagulangan pic.twitter.com/e5SY1Drel4

— 알럽바스켓공 (@baekpd1983) January 9, 2026

Cortez represents a ready-made organizer with a winning pedigree. At 23 and standing 5-foot-11, the son of former PBA star Mike Cortez delivered a breakout season for La Salle, averaging 15.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals.

His poise and shot-making were central to the Green Archers’ UAAP Season 88 championship run—his second collegiate title after lifting the NCAA Season 99 crown with San Beda in 2023. A move overseas, however, would come at a cost, as Cortez would have to give up his final year of eligibility with La Salle.

Cabanero offers a different profile. Taller at 6-foot-2, the 22-year-old has been a fixture for UST, earning UAAP Elite Team honors twice across a five-year collegiate career. 

Last season, the Cebuano guard posted 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while steering the Growling Tigers to a fourth-place finish. His size and scoring punch could provide Suwon KT with versatility in a backcourt suddenly short on options.

Any move, though, comes with added layers. Should Suwon KT opt to bring in a new Asian import, the club would still need to negotiate a buyout for the remainder of Cagulangan’s contract, a reminder that replacing a key piece is rarely straightforward.

For now, the Sonicboom are weighing risk, timing, and fit. With their season balanced on the playoff line, the search for Cagulangan’s successor is no longer just about filling a spot—it’s about preserving momentum before it slips away.

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