By MARK REY MONTEJO
SJ Belangel and JD Cagulangan met for the first time since their intense UAAP rivalry, and like the last time they clashed, it was the former Ateneo star who came out grinning from ear to ear.
Belangel’s Daegu KOGAS Pegasus prevailed of Cagulangan’s Suwon KT Sonicboom, 76-74, in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Thursday, Jan. 16.
Though Belangel delivered the usual numbers expected from him, it was Andrew Nicholson who shone brightest as he came through with a booming triple for the win.
The former NBA journeyman finished with 34 points, including that buzzer-beater jumper with 8.4 seconds remaining, apart from grabbing 14 rebounds while Belangel backed him up with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists to snap the Pegasus’ two-game slide.
Cagulangan, who was a denied a back-to-back championship when his University of the Philippines team lost to the Belangel-led Ateneo in 2022, was also impressive with 15 points on top of four rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
The two-time UAAP champion has remained winless in the Korean pro league since joining the club last weekend as Suwon dropped its fourth straight game.
