I still remember the first time I heard about John Cabahug's journey to the PBA - it reminded me so much of those classic basketball discovery stories where talent meets opportunity in the most unexpected places. Much like Chris Milot, who got his break at a Vegas showcase because someone noticed he "can play," Cabahug's path to professional basketball had that same element of being in the right place at the right time with the right skills. What makes Cabahug's career particularly fascinating to me is how he represents that perfect blend of raw talent and seizing the moment when it presents itself.
Growing up watching Philippine basketball, I've always been drawn to players who took unconventional routes to the PBA. Cabahug started his professional career with the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu Niños in the Liga Pilipinas, where he quickly established himself as a scoring machine. The numbers he put up were absolutely staggering - during the 2012 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup, he averaged around 18.2 points per game for the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems. Those aren't just good numbers - they're "notice me" numbers that scream professional potential.
What I find most impressive about Cabahug's story is how he transitioned from being undrafted to making his PBA debut with the Barako Bull Energy Cola in 2012. Think about that for a second - going from not being selected in the draft to earning a spot on a professional roster through pure determination and performance. It's the kind of journey that makes basketball so compelling. I've always believed that undrafted players often develop this unique hunger, this extra chip on their shoulder that drives them to prove everyone wrong. Cabahug embodied that spirit perfectly.
His time with Barako Bull, and later with GlobalPort Batang Pier, showed exactly what kind of player he was - a reliable shooter who could create his own shot and stretch defenses. I particularly remember watching him during the 2014-15 PBA season when he put up solid numbers off the bench. In today's game where three-point shooting has become so crucial, Cabahug was ahead of his time with that smooth shooting stroke. He wasn't just a catch-and-shoot guy either - he had this ability to move without the ball and find open spaces that drove defenders crazy.
The comparison to Milot's Vegas showcase story isn't just superficial - both represent that beautiful basketball truth that opportunities can come from anywhere if you have the skills to back it up. Cabahug's journey through various teams including Kia Carnival (now Terrafirma Dyip) demonstrates the kind of resilience I admire in professional athletes. The PBA can be brutal - one day you're on a roster, the next you're fighting for your career. But players like Cabahug, who keep working and adapting, they find ways to stick around and contribute.
Looking back at his career, what stands out to me isn't just the statistics or the highlight reels - it's the example he set for young Filipino players dreaming of making it to the PBA. His path shows that there's no single right way to achieve your dreams in basketball. Whether you get drafted high, go undrafted, or get discovered in some unexpected setting like Milot did in Vegas, what ultimately matters is what you do with the opportunity when it comes. Cabahug made the most of his chances, and that's why his career remains memorable years later. In my book, that's the mark of a true professional - someone who stays ready so they don't have to get ready when opportunity knocks.
