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| Alex Cabagnot signed up with Converge in what could be his last playing year in the pros. Dennis Acosta |
PASAY--Back from Taipei after helping the star-studded Taiwan Mustangs dominate the fourth leg of TAT, Alex Cabagnot thought he would get a much-needed break from basketball.
Still playing professionally at age 41, the six-foot guard looked to get a breather and was actually gearing up for a championship celebration.
However, after a call from Jacob Lao, Cabagnot found himself back in the PBA, joining Converge.
"After The Asian Tournament, Boss J asked me if I could blend in with the guys. Of course, I went [to their practice], and kahapon, I signed so fast. I couldn't even think about it. Sabi niya, 'Ito na yung pagkakataon kung gusto mong maglaro.' Sabi ko, 'Syempre naman. I would love to have the team,'" Cabagnot said in his first media interview as a FiberXer during Day 2 of the PBA Media Day on Tuesday at the Le Parc Event Hall.
He then confirmed that he signed a one-year deal with Converge as he will probably be tasked to be the mentor to the team's young core led by 2023 Rookie of the Year Justin Arana and spitfire guard Schonny Winston.
What prompted Lao to recruit Cabagnot?
Cabagnot revealed that Lao thought about the idea of bringing him in during the Mustangs' tune-up game against Gilas Pilipinas last June.
"I think he got an interest when we played against Gilas," Cabagnot further said.
So when he told Taiwan's higher-ups that he is going back to the PBA, the team granted him a release.
"They were very accommodating," Cabagnot said about his talks with the Mustangs' front office.
The number two pick of the 2005 PBA Draft, though, hinted that this could very well be his swan song as a player.
"I told coach Chris [Gavina], 'This is probably going to be my last season. I want to end my 20-year career especially playing in the PBA,'" Cabagnot bared how his conversation with his former coach at the Mustangs' camp went.
Cabagnot, who played internationally too for the KBL's Goyang Skygunners, revealed that he got offers to play in Mongolia and Taiwan.
However, when the FiberXers' offer came, he quickly placed his signature in his contract with only a little time to read the specifics carefully as he really wanted to retire as a PBA player.
"The PBA has been amazing to me. I met a lot of great people here," said Cabagnot, who was formerly a part of San Miguel's "Death 5" starting unit that led the team to multiple titles during the 2010s.
As his illustrious career winds down, the nine-time champion, eight-time All-Star, and former Finals MVP hopes that he ends the upcoming PBA season beginning Aug. 18 healthy and happy.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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