For this week at least, Alex Cabagnot had no intention of going back to the PBA.

In reality, he was meant to be celebrating the Taiwan Mustangs’ recent victory in The Asian Tournament with his teammates this week while on vacation in La Union.

As part of the Converge Fiberxers, Cabagnot was training and attended the PBA’s Media Day on Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming 49th Season of the league.

‘’Funny thing is we just won the championship. We have like an outing for the Mustangs. Sabi nila, pupunta kami sa La Union. Tinignan ko ‘yung group chat, sabi ko mami-miss ko ‘yung La Union celebration namin. That’s what we are going to do, I think, tomorrow,’’ Cabagnot, said. “I guess the grind continues.

Cabagnot, 41, revealed that he was invited to participate in the FiberXers’ practice, which is when he was first invited to sign with Converge.

“After the Asian Tournament, actually I was speaking with Boss J (Jacob Lao, Converge team manager), he asked me to go to practice and see if I could blend in with the guys. Of course, I went. We have a great relationship naman,” he added. “I went. And kahapon, I signed. I couldn’t even think about it, nandito na ‘yung kontrata kung gusto mo. Sabi ko, syempre naman, I would love to help the team. ‘Yun, nandito na,”

Cabagnot played for Terrafirma in 2023, his final PBA season. Before joining the Taiwan Mustangs ballclub, he even performed in Korea.

According to Cabagnot, Lao informed him that his performance in the tune-up match versus Gilas Pilipinas prior to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament piqued his curiosity. Later, he let his superiors and Taiwan Mustangs coach Chris Gavina know about Converge’s interest.

Cabagnot stated that even though he hasn’t played in the PBA in a while, he would still like to return if the opportunity arose, particularly because his 20th anniversary as a professional basketball player is quickly coming.

Cabagnot stated that he was eager to rejoin the PBA and that Converge’s offer was too good to refuse.

“I told Coach Chris, he is a good friend of mine. He said, ‘You know what, it will be a great way.’ This is probably going to be probably my last season. I wanted to end my 20th year especially playing in the PBA. This is my 20^th year going in as a professional,” noted Cabagnot, who was selected by Sta. second overall in the 2005 draft. Lucia.

Meanwhile, Terrafirma has signed rookie player CJ Catapusan.

Dyip signed the Cebuano cager to a two-year contract on Tuesday, adding him to the lineup for the upcoming PBA Season 49 along with rookies Didat Hanapi and Paolo Hernandez.
Dyip selected Catapusan, 26, in the second round at choice no. 15.

His MPBL team, the Iloilo Royals, granted him release papers, which allowed him to sign.

And for this, Catapusan was appreciative of JJ Javelosa, the owner of the Iloilo United Royals squad, for realizing his PBA ambition. Catapusan also expressed gratitude to Mac, Japs Cuan, and MC Abolucion, his mentors, for their assistance with his career.

After CJ Cansino, he is the second Iloilo player to be let go by the team so they can participate in Asia’s first professional league.

At the contract signing, which was observed by Catapusan’s agent Charlie Dy of VP Global Management, was Terrafirma team manager Ronald Tubid.

In addition to being grateful to UP coaches Bo Perasol and Goldwin Monteverde, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Robina Gokongwei, NWTGBU, UP administration, and the community for their support throughout his undergraduate career, Catapusan, who played for the University of the Philippines and briefly with Adamson, also expressed gratitude to them.