The Rise of John Cabahug in PBA: A Story of Perseverance and Success
I still remember the first time I saw John Cabahug play - it was during a summer exhibition game in Manila, and honestly, I wasn't immediately impressed. He wasn't the tallest guy on the court, maybe standing around 6 feet flat if I had to guess, and he didn't have that explosive athleticism that makes scouts drool. But what caught my attention was his shooting form - pure as filtered water, with that beautiful arc that makes you know it's going in even before it leaves his fingertips. Little did I know I was witnessing the early stages of what would become one of the most inspiring journeys in recent PBA history.
His path reminds me so much of that story about Milot, the player who got discovered at a Vegas showcase. Milot once said, "I met him at a showcase in Vegas. They saw that I can play, and gave me an opportunity to play out here." That quote has always stuck with me because it captures exactly what happened with Cabahug, just in a different setting. While Milot's breakthrough came in Vegas, Cabahug's came through the PBA D-League, where he averaged something like 18.3 points per game in his final season before getting the call-up. Both stories share that beautiful moment when someone finally sees what you can do and decides to take a chance on you.
What really gets me about Cabahug's journey is how he proved that basketball isn't just about physical gifts. I've seen countless players with better vertical jumps or faster sprint times come and go from the league, but Cabahug understood something fundamental about the game - it's ultimately about putting the ball in the basket. His work ethic was legendary around the practice facilities. I heard from team staff that he'd regularly take 500 shots after practice, sometimes staying until the janitors had to literally kick him out of the arena. That dedication showed in games, where he developed this reputation as a clutch shooter who could sink baskets when everything was on the line.
I'll never forget that game against Ginebra last season - the crowd was absolutely electric, with maybe 18,000 fans packed into the arena. Cabahug came off the bench cold, hadn't played a single minute in the first three quarters, but when they put him in during crunch time, he hit four three-pointers in five minutes. The fourth one was particularly memorable - he caught the ball with maybe two seconds on the shot clock, did this little hesitation move that froze the defender, and launched from what felt like 30 feet out. Swish. The entire arena just erupted. That's when I knew this guy was something special, not just another rotation player.
What makes his story resonate with so many Filipino basketball fans, including myself, is how relatable his journey feels. He wasn't some can't-miss prospect who had everything handed to him. He had to grind through the amateur ranks, prove himself in the D-League, and even when he made the PBA roster, he started at the very bottom of the rotation. I remember talking to his college coach once, who told me that Cabahug would show up to practices two hours early just to work on his footwork. That attention to detail, that willingness to do the boring fundamental work - that's what separates the flash-in-the-pan players from the ones who build lasting careers.
Now, seeing him develop into one of the league's most reliable shooting guards, averaging what I believe was around 14.7 points per game last season, it's impossible not to feel happy for the guy. In a league that's increasingly dominated by imports and super-athletic local stars, Cabahug represents something different - the triumph of skill development, basketball IQ, and plain old hard work. His game isn't about highlight-reel dunks or flashy crossovers; it's about efficiency, movement without the ball, and that sweet, sweet jumper that never seems to fail when it matters most.
Looking at where he is now compared to where he started, I can't help but think that his story represents the best of what Philippine basketball has to offer. It's not about where you come from or what physical tools you were born with - it's about what you're willing to do with the opportunities you're given. Cabahug took that D-League opportunity and turned it into a legitimate PBA career, and honestly, I think we're only seeing the beginning of what he can accomplish. The way I see it, his journey serves as inspiration for every young player out there who might not be the most gifted athlete but has the heart and determination to make it anyway.
