MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer guard Alex Cabagnot felt doubly blessed on Wednesday afternoon.

As a member of the University of the Philippines (UP) coaching staff, he watched as the Fighting Maroons defeated Adamson University in the Final 4, thus earning a place in the UAAP Season 81 Finals – their first championship stint in 32 years.

• READ: UP Fighting Maroons top Adamson for 1st UAAP finals trip in 32 years

And, while the hotly-contested game was ongoing, Cabagnot was also named to the 12-man line-up that will represent the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier against Kazakhstan on Friday.

"I didn't even know until you told me. Thank you for breaking the news to me," Cabagnot told reporters after UP secured a thrilling 89-87 overtime triumph over Adamson.

"I feel great. I guess double the blessings," he beamed. "I'm still at a UP high right now."

• READ: Fajardo, Slaughter lead Gilas 12 vs. Kazakhstan

Cabagnot is one of three San Miguel players to make the line-up, along with Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo. They are joined by Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, and Scottie Thompson, along with Rain or Shine's Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood.

Also set to play are Blackwater's Poy Erram, Phoenix's Matthew Wright, and NorthPort's Stanley Pringle, who will be the team's naturalized player for the game.

Cabagnot is anticipating a "tough grind" for the national team, who will play Kazakhstan and Iran in the span of four days.

More than anything, however, Cabagnot was grateful to have been given another chance by national team coach Yeng Guiao to play for the Philippines.

"I feel like Coach Yeng is heaven-sent, and my guardian angel," said Cabagnot, who also suited up for the national team in their games against Qatar and Iran in the previous window.

"Never in my 13 years have I thought that I'll don the colors. I'm 36 in a couple of weeks. Who would've thought?" he quipped. "I feel like God sent Coach Yeng to make a dream come true for me, and be an ambassador for Philippine basketball."

The national team takes on Kazakhstan on Friday, and Iran on December 3. They currently have a 5-3 win-loss record in Group F.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.