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PBA championship caps "blessed" 2018 for Sangalang

Ian Sangalang had a blast this year. PBA Media Group
By Ivan Saldajeno

ANTIPOLO--This year has been Ian Sangalang's best year in his professional basketball career.

The Magnolia center cemented his status as one of the Philippine Basketball Association's top superstars today in 2018 by earning a call-up to Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and leading the Purefoods franchise to the Governors' Cup title.

For him, this year is a dream season.

“Etong 2018 sobrang na-blessed ako. Nagpapasalamat ako kay God kasi lahat ng ‘to kung di dahil sa kanya wala ako dito, di ko makukuha ‘to at makakarating dito,” Sangalang said on Wednesday night after the Hotshots clinched their latest championship at the Ynares Center. “Sobrang thankful ako sa lahat ng nangyari sa buhay ko kasi hindi mo ine-expect na dumarating bigla.”

What made it even sweeter was that they got their latest plum, their first since their grand slam in 2014, right on his birthday.

"Parang doble lahat ng celebration--[sa] birthday mo, champion ka," continued Sangalang.

However, regarding their latest achievement, he thought they were underdogs all conference long.

“Etong conference na ‘to, di namin ine-expect na aabot kami dito kasi sobrang mabibigat ‘yung mga nakalaban namin,” Sangalang added.

But all it took was trust and faith.

“Pero naniwala kami sa isa’t-isa–sa coaching staff, sa mga players, sa group of circle namin. Naniwala kami. Tuloy-tuloy lang kami naniwala hanggang eto – etong gabi na ito nakuha namin,” he further said.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno